For fellow earring lovers out there, local designer Molly Dvorak has set up an Etsy shop that will be right up your alley.
For fellow earring lovers out there, local designer Molly Dvorak has set up an Etsy shop that will be right up your alley.
When it comes to buying commercially advertised and mass produced products, you are opting to take the risk of running into someone with the exact same pair. Something that always causes accessories to be conversation pieces are originality, and Dvorak has that on lock.
Using thread and small glass beads, the young artist weaves details to her earring designs. “I don’t like doing duplicates,” she said. “I like them to be unique, I like them to be one of a kind.”
Dvorak started her professional art journey in Savannah, GA, while pursuing a degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Despite her focus being photography, she dabbled in several different mediums during her time at school.
“I like to think that I learned a lot more than photography there.” She said.
The itch to make earrings developed shortly after arriving to Richmond a couple of years ago.
Dvorak spoke of a pair of earrings her friend wore one day and how she was in love with the style, but opted not to spend her money on purchasing a look alike. “You know what?” she said. “I think I can make these.”
In true artistic fashion, Dvorak claims that the process is a lot simpler than it looks and she learned how to do the beading from watching an online video “for 30 seconds.”
Making money from the hobby came a little later. Her first sale was in person while she was working about a year ago. Dvorak was wearing a pair of her work, and a customer who had complimented them soon after bought a pair that the artist had on hand. “It was really cool that someone else wanted to wear them.” She said.
That event sparked the idea of selling her jewelry to the public. “If they liked them, then maybe other people will like them,” she said. “I should put them online.”
When it comes to what serves as her inspiration for pieces, Dvorak said that it really just depends. “I kind of just make them up depending on my mood.” She said.
She also explained that she takes notes from her surroundings, taking note of illustrations or graphic designs when she is out and about for ideas about color schemes and textures.
When the artist is not spending time with her beading tray, she is a part time nanny and a helper for a company that flips houses. She’s also putting her degree to good use by hosting photography workshops with kids at the Stewart School in the West End.
Though currently the Queen of odd jobs, Dvorak aims for some more stable plans for the future.
She eventually wants to go back to school at VCU for art education in hopes of being an art teacher. As far as her jewelry goes, she wants to expand.
“I want to bring necklaces into the mix,” she said. “I also want to start hand dying silk scarves […] eventually I want to add some home décor- I make a lot of pillows.”
Once she is able to expand on her available products, Dvorak wants to take advantage of Richmond’s constant buzz with a mobile store. “Richmond has so many events I think it would be foolproof.” She said.
In addition to having a supply of earrings on hand when she travels (and in stock for her Etsy store), Dvorak wants to open her doors to personal requests. “I’m totally into doing custom orders,” she said.
If you would like to place and order or snag one of her already made pieces, check out her Etsy page here!
