We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with jewelry designer Vanessa Leu of Wishgiving. A native of Taiwan, Vanessa now resides in California and creates beautiful, unconventional jewelry designs.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. Throughout my life, I've always been an idealist who's been pursuing beauty and spiritual fulfillment. The jewelry in my line, Wishgiving, is not only meant to enhance a women's beauty, but it is also meant to deliver blessings to the wearer. I believe that beauty is a universal language that crosses cultural and time barriers.

The emphasis on how each piece of jewelry is to benefit the wearer begins with my design process. For example, when I designed my Bridal Collection, I created pieces with stones that encourage love and happy marriages. Now, beautiful brides-to-be select pieces that not only compliment their personal style, but also encourage wishes they hope to fulfill in their marriages. They also purchase jewelry as bridesmaid gifts, selecting stones customized to match the personalities of their bridesmaids!

How did you get started as a designer? Wishgiving began unexpectedly, but when I think about it, it is a natural path for me to take. I've always felt that I have a mission in life, and I've always had a passion for art. When I was in Taiwan, I was a teacher in a mountain village of Taiwanese aborigines. That experience compelled me to become a journalist to inform people about their unjust conditions.

Wishgiving combines both my love for art and my life's philosophies. As a designer, I want to create an awareness of beauty and virtues such as inward beauty and love. My daughter, Vania and son, Alvin share these ideals and joined me in starting this business. We want to do what we can to bring positive actions and intentions to the greater community. It's very important to our company that we're not simply doing this for profit. The foundation of our business is to do good, and to encourage our customers to spread consideration and thoughtfulness through gift-giving. Portions of our profits are given to non profit organizations with noble intentions.

What inspires your work? It's hard to define what influences any artist, because it's a complicated life-long process. There are so many things that I love, and influence my work: nature, architecture, paintings, music, writing, gardening, sculptures, movies, compassionate people that have inner beauty such as Mother Theresa. But if I have to say: I'm hugely inspired by my Zen practice and Chinese philosophers such as Lao Tzu. Other inspirations include classical Chinese paintings such as works of Zhu Da, Qi Baishi, Shi Tao, and contemporary artists with abstract work.

Who are your favorite designers? I don't have any specific favorites, but I admire designers who are honest to their work (not compromising to societal norms, or what sells), continuously challenging themselves with their work, and who show the world many new ways to see beauty, such as the late Yves St. Laurent.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? I love a beautiful piece of jewelry, because it can transform the way your outfit appeals to you and to others. A piece of jewelry can translate a personal, special and precious feeling.

My top beauty must-have is a perfume with a fresh scent because it immediately communicates a lovely atmosphere to you and those around you.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? It's been said so many times, but it deserves repeating: stay true to yourself, your vision, your art. It's hard to get somewhere when you're copying others, or compromising your own vision. The reason designers do the work they do is because they truly enjoy creating. If you're not staying true to yourself or copying others, you won't enjoy what you do. Also, business knowledge is very important, so read as many books on business as you can.

Where can people find your work? At our website: http://wishgiving.com