I'm a big fan of all of the amazing independent designers out there. In an effort to get inside the mind of the indie designer and find out just what makes all of these creative types tick, I present to you an ongoing segment I call Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with Catherine Beringer, a jewelry designer and metalsmith who creates modern, organic jewelry using eco-friendly, recycled silver. You can find her work at her website, Solsida, which means sunny side in Swedish.

Tell me a little about your work. I make silver jewelry inspired by lazy summer days spent outside with the sun beaming down on your face. (It's a long winter here in Minnesota!). I totally crave sunshine and my jewelry reflects that. I enjoy using my jewelry saw to cut out silhouettes of birds and butterflies and other things from nature. I also love organic shapes, imperfect circles and rounded edges. I use argentium silver, a newer sterling silver alloy, that has some unique properties for metalsmithing, including the ability to use safer and fewer chemicals. It is also much slower to tarnish than traditional sterling and requires less polishing. Many of my necklaces hang from several strands of linen cord. I really like that linen is a sustainable plant fiber, and that it's lightweight, stronger than leather or cotton and comes in beautiful, subtle colors.




Who are your favorite designers? I've been coveting a BeckyOh intaglio purse for too long and I've promised myself one for Spring. I just have to make up my mind which one! I just redid my studio and I have a wall that is crying out for some of these dream-like Alena Hennessy prints. My favorite jewelry designer is Amy Tavern. I've admired her work for a long time. Her jewelry is simple and modern, but has an light and organic quality to it that makes it really special.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? I have a pair of red, stacked-heel Clarks and some sweet, Camper high heels I adore. They appeal to my need to be girly and comfortable at the same time. I favor skirts over jeans, so I love heels to go with them. Some of my favorite casual skirts are from Envi, an eco-friendly, online clothing store that recently opened a brick and mortar in Boston. In my constant battle against dry skin, I recently invested in a whole bunch of Winks and Company shea butters. I love trying out all the different scents. I have a ton of them. I keep changing my mind which one I like the best but right now it's pink grapefruit and honey.

How did you get started designing jewelry? I started making jewelry after getting hooked on metalsmithing. I love all the tools you get to use. I've become addicted to the tools. It turns out, one can never have too many hammers! I love what the metal can do, there is always something else to try and see what happens. I'm also addicted to fashion. I've always loved pouring through fashion magazines, seeing how designers put their collections together and reinventing style. Jewelry was really the natural progression of two loves.

What inspires your work? I'm totally inspired by nature and the outdoors. I think I'm overly susceptible to cabin fever. I just need to get outside! Although, truth be told, my idea of the great outdoors most of the time is a cafe that serves wine alfresco!

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? Get ready to wear a lot of different hats! There's a lot of behind the scenes work that's completely unrelated to jewelry making, that I underestimated. Time management and persistence will be your best friends.

Where can people find your work?
www.solsida.com
www.circlecircledotdot.com