Do you love metal rings? Deb does, find out about her passion here and visit her at both Sydney shows

How did you come to set up your business?

I was putting in an order with one of my favourite suppliers and she mentioned that she would love to have an Australian distributor…..I can do that I thought and it went on from there in leaps and bounds.  Five years later I have more jump rings than I could have ever imagined at the beginning and have met some lovely people along the way.

What’s the best part of running your business?

The customers, always the customers.  Their enthusiasm, their joy, their own take on Chain Maille keeps me going.  It’s why I hold “Show Us Your Maille” on our facebook, so I get to see the amazing works that everyone does.  Of course getting all those goodies in is very cool too….Christmas all the time!

Where do you sell ? online, shopfront or show?

We are an online only store.  Last year we started Maille Con, which was a get together of maillers who learnt new weaves, got to chat about all things chain maille and also got to see (nearly) all we have on offer.  We had such a fabulous time we intend to do it again each year.

What do you like about attending a show?

It’s meeting the customers, putting faces to names and sharing our enthusiasm for maille.  Most of my friends think I am nuts, so it’s nice to meet others who enjoy what I do, and are just as crazy!

What questions do customers ask most often and what do you reply?

I’m mostly asked what rings would be needed to make a piece they have spotted.  In Chain Maille one ring does not rule them all…..and often people need help in understanding which ones are best suited for what they want to make.

Which of your products which excites you the most.

Hmmm, tough question.  My first love is to work with is Sterling Silver and Anodised Niobium, those are my favourite jump rings.  I can’t go past a good set of pliers, any pliers…..did I say I love pliers.

Do you create with your products yourself and if so what do you make. Do you have other creative pursuits?

I don’t get to maille as often as I like for pleasure.  Most of it is related to the business, and when I do it’s always been jewellery.  This year I would like to branch out into garments.

Photography is my other love, and luckily I can combine the two.  I like nothing better though than getting out with my camera and just shooting what takes my fancy.

We asked Georgie a few questions so you can see what’s behind the Georgie Girl business.

Georgie will be at the first Sydney show and Melbourne show

How did you come to set up your business?

I first found myself attending a bead weaving class in early 2000’s which started off only as a fun hobby. As I became familiar with bead weaving I broadened my skills even further and found that I had a real passion for Lampwork art. I focused on creating exclusive pieces of Jewellery and Lampwork beads. As I was craving to learn as much I could about this wonderful world of glass, I decided to gain as much experience as I could by joining a local bead group, working at bead shops, teaching classes on off-Loom techniques, attending shows and meeting fellow Lampwork Artists. This was when I decided that I wanted to be a Lampwork artist and to start a career out of something I truly love and feel passionate about. I started to make a name for myself and people were requesting my beads all the time, they wanted individual pieces and they also wanted to feature my beads when they made their own jewellery. I went on to show my work in local galleries and cafés; during this time and I also had my first exhibition with my new business ‘Georgie Girl Wearable Art Glass’.

What’s the best part of running your business?

The best part of running my own business is that I get to enjoy my work and what I do by fulfilling my own artistic passion, I can work within the hours that suit my family needs and that I can be my own boss.

Where do you sell? Online, shopfront or show?

Most of my work is currently being sold online and at shows.

I enjoy selling my art at shows as it gives me an easy-going and laid back environment where I can enjoy a one on one relationship with my customers. I also sell online which allows customers to shop at their leisure, it is also great for those customers who can keep in contact with me when they may not be able to attend a show and they can also see the quality of my jewellery with the numerous photos of current items I have on there.

What do you like about attending a show?

I do love the welcoming atmosphere at the shows; I thoroughly enjoy setting up my display with my new collection of Jewellery and art glass.

I love to get in amongst the people by collaborating and getting to know other talented artist’s in the industry, designing unique pieces, and making fantastic connections and friendships with some lovely customers. I love that we all share information and I get excited to see what other artists have created.

What questions do customers ask most often and what do you reply?

My customers are mostly interested in how I make my beads, what inspires my palette, if I can create specific items of jewellery for them.

I usually give them a quick explanation of the process of Lampwork. I love to talk to them about my colours. My inspiration comes from the colours I see around me every day, and of course I can create specific items for them, I don’t do the same piece twice but we usually come up with something that they love.

Which of your products which excites you the most.

That’s easy, my latest Lampwork beads!!

Do you create with your products yourself and if so what do you make. Do you have other creative pursuits?

Yes I love to create with my own products; I love to make unique items of jewellery for myself, family, and friends and of course my customers.

I also enjoy painting, drawing and making fashion accessories.