Featured Artisan: LoveKhloeStudio ~ Anna Kay Creations

First off, tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Catherine, I’m a 28 year old report analyst by day, happy homemaker by night, and a wife and mother to a gorgeous but wild 20 month old around the clock. I live just outside of Los Angeles and love everything about Southern California life.

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How did you start creating your jewelry, and how long have you been doing it?

I made my very first piece of jewelry in elementary school when my oldest brother introduced me to wood, seed beads, and fishing line. I used to think I was the coolest thing walking around in my very own necklace. At that point was when I first stepped foot into the wonderful world of Michaels Arts and Crafts store (I’m pretty sure my mother didn’t like it as much as I did). I learned there were all kinds of things besides seed beads. I’ve tried my hand at many things over the years—beading on a loom, lanyards, crocheting (that never worked out), little figurines and beads of polymer clay, decoden, does webdesign and blogging count? The list goes on and on and spans almost 20 years! I then discovered Downtown L.A. and the aisles and aisles of beads, I can honestly say I was in bead heaven. When I got pregnant I lost my willingness to trek through the crowds and smells of sewage and bacon wrapped hot dogs, all that is DTLA. I started sewing and began making clothes and accessories but as my daughter grew I lost my desire to make baby things. I went back to my first true love of jewelry making about a year ago. I started with friendship-style bracelets with embroidery thread, rhinestones, and chain. When I found my bead case amongst the things still stored at my parents’ home, I began beading again and I haven’t looked back. I opened my online shop after endless prodding from my loved ones, first on Etsy and now on Storenvy.

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Outside of crafting, what else do you enjoy doing?

I was going to say chasing after my toddler but then I saw the keyword “enjoy”- picking up rice and watching Mickey’s Clubhouse all day isn’t so enjoyable. I am also a Polynesian dancer though I haven’t performed in a couple years. I began when I was 7 years old, even before I picked up my first bead. Polynesian dancing is not only a great workout but you also learn about the cultures and I made a second family with my group. The food is pretty amazing, too. I also love to be able to pick up a book and read when I can or grab a sketchbook and pencil and scribble away. I have one tattoo of a single plumeria with basketweave waves which I designed.

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Where do you get your inspiration from?

When you live in Southern California, there’s inspiration all around you! The beach is one of my main inspirations, the sand between your toes, the shells strewn all over, the ocean, and the gorgeous sunsets that you get the perfect view of. The colorful costumes from my days in dancing play a role, too. I use a lot of shell, wood, and stones in my beading, things that bring you back to nature. I can see my jewelry on the beach or outdoors at a park. But sometimes you just can’t resist the shine and bling of glass and rhinestones! You can never have too many rhinestones nowadays. Take the jewelry shopping or for a night out on the town.

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Is there anything else you would like to share?

The thing I love about handmade jewelry is that everything has their own special touch and you know the person put a lot of care and thought into each piece. My shop is named after my daughter, Khloe, and I won't tie her name into something I wasn't proud of. I never send anything that I don’t love myself to anyone else so when I know that someone else loves my creations I know I’m doing something right! I learn different techniques and discover gorgeous new beads everyday and I look forward to growing my line of accessories.