We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dana Sharpe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dana below.
Dana, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Sharing my creativity is one of my favorite parts of being a jewelry designer. My workspace is near a window, and just being able to look outside fosters creativity for me. Exploring my older designs, reading, and watching artistic documentaries also help keep my creativity alive.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’ve always had a love for jewelry and crafting, so I merged the two together, and By Dana Ashli was created.
By Dana Ashli, is a handcrafted jewelry line, that offers earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and custom pieces.
Signature BDA pieces like the “Jodi” Hoops earrings, include sparkly crystal beads, hand wire wrapped around a stainless steel hoop. These earrings have been the top seller for the past 3 years, and many of our customers wear them daily.
By Dana Ashli looks to elevate the basic jewelry essentials, and make them special enough to be worn from day to night. BDA also creates unique one-of-a-kind custom pieces for our customers.
By Dana Ashli is sold online (bydanaashli.com), at in-person pop-ups, special events, and art fairs around Metro Detroit and Michigan.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities that have been most important in my journey are creativity, adaptability, and integrity.
Continually exercising your creativity in various ways will keep your ideas and the innovation flowing. Being able to adapt in these ever changing industries is a must nowadays. Staying true to who you are, your values and your purpose will steer you in the right direction through the highs and lows of business and being an artist.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I walk away, pray, and relax for a while. I usually come back refreshed, and often times with a solution to my frustration. Allowing myself space when I’m overwhelmed is important for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bydanaashli.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bydanaashli/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ByDanaAshli
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bydanaashli
