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| Megan Whitmire of AGTA interviewed Pamela for a beautiful 2-page article in the latest issue of Prism Magazine! |
Megan Whitmire asked Pamela some really
great questions in this interview! These two pages will give you insight into
Pamela's design aesthetics (like, who she has in mind while designing, her favorite gemstones to work with and the first piece of jewelry she ever made) as well as a few personal tidbits you probably didn't know (like, what she can't leave the house without and the surprising job she had during high school!) You can read the interview in the digital version of Prism, or continue reading below where I've transcribed the interview for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
1.
Do you have any jewelry on right now?
Yes, my
Ombre Cleopatra ring, my Eternal Scroll ring on my thumb, one of my opal rings
and my Ombre Headlight Hoops.
2.
What is your favorite gemstone to work with?
I really
love all gemstones but my favorites are the ones that have a great inner
dialogue: like all types of opals, rutilated quartz (especially the
platinum-color rutile!) rainbow moonstone and labradorite. My other favorites right now, purely for their
color, are purple-blue Tanzanite and vibrant blue Paraiba Tourmaline melee. Oh! And also Malaia Zircon, a natural
pinky-orangey-brown colored stone, because it pairs so well with my 18k pink
& yellow “Ombre” collection.
3.
What is your favorite gemstone to wear?
Pretty
much the same as above: Boulder Opals with Paraiba, Malaia Zircons and Platinum
Rutilated Quartz… it really just depends on what color mood I’m in, whether I
want to stand out with vibrant color, or go more “neutral” with either warm or
cool tones.
4.
What is your best creative setting?
I think
my Ombre pieces that “fade” from a Malaia Zircon center to 18k pink & yellow
gold are some of my most creative settings… but as I write this I realize you probably
meant a place where I feel creative. LOL! It can be while taking a walk along a
beautiful path at a resort… or relaxing on my sofa listing to music… or
admiring a building with amazing architecture… or sometimes things just appear
in my mind while lying in bed!
5.
What is your favorite memory of AGTA?
I don’t
think I have just one favorite memory, I’ve got quite a few! I always love the
moment when I find a specific stone that inspires me! And while shopping for that “It” stone, I
love running into friends and colleagues in the industry, excitedly discussing
what stones we’ve seen or just bought. And of course I have fond memories of
whenever I’ve won a Spectrum Award and get to go the gala to accept it!
6.
Do you have someone in mind when you create a
piece of jewelry?
Not a
specific person but, I do keep my ideal customer in mind: My Ideal Customer is a
person that has a mind of their own, wants something that’s special but easy to
wear with just about any outfit, and is not interested in something that looks
like what everyone else has.
7.
What kind of team have you surrounded yourself
with to make you successful?
My
Husband is an amazing photographer, his professional shots of my jewelry have
helped my brand image immensely, and my assistant/right-hand woman Jilienne has
been an integral part of everything that has helped my business grow.
8.
What is your biggest accomplishment so far?
Besides
my wonderful 9 year old son Hudson… I think achieving a recognized look is a
huge accomplishment in this industry.
And if we’re talking awards, although I’ve won quite a few, the one that
still stands out in my mind is my first Town & Country Couture Design Award
for Best of Gold early in my career when I was still a relatively unknown
designer. The other Finalists were H. Stern and Calgaro, I felt like an ingénue
beating out Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett for the Best Actress Oscar!
9.
Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
What lessons did that person teach you?
I can
point to two people who have had the biggest influence on my professional life.
First: my mother. She was a shoe designer and sculptor who pushed me to go to
FIT and made me draw everyday. She helped me have an appreciation for art and encouraged
me to find my own vision. The second person is one of my close friends who
started off as a mentor: Erica Courtney. She really was very generous with her knowledge
and helped guide me through the jewelry industry. She taught me that there is
room for everyone and if one designer is doing well than we all can do well.
Both of these remarkable women encouraged me to push through my fears and
follow my passion.
10. What is
something you can’t leave your house without?
My keys,
my rings (Cleopatra Ring & Eternal Scroll thumb ring) and lip gloss.
11. What
was the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
It was
for a project at FIT: a sterling silver and copper geometric modern pin with
hematite and pearl. (I originally attended FIT for Fashion Design but fell in
love with jewelry making while I was there and changed my major.)
12. What
song best describes your work ethic?
The Beatles
“8 Days A Week”
13. Pick
two celebrities as your best friends. Why those two?
Steve
Carell: I have a major crush on him. I find him soo funny and I think we would
laugh a lot together.
Sandra
Bullock: She seems nice, funny, sweet and intelligent. Plus, she would rock my
jewelry!
14. What is
one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was a
magician’s assistant in high school, so I know a lot of magical secrets…
15. Where
do you see yourself in 10 years?
I’ve been planning to expand into fine home goods
and furniture for quite a while now, I expect to have established that branch
of my business within the next 10 years. I might even have my own store, too!
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