Artist Blog-Alexandra



 

European Artist Alexandra: Artist Interview

 

 



When I first met Alex (she prefers to be called Alex), it was in a movie theater.  I was infatuated with her European accent.  She was very bubbly and talkative; only some of the features anyone would love about her.  There were some things that she will light up about when she speaks about them: her husband, her work in chemistry, Europe and art.  She talks about everything with a passion and her laughter is infectious.  Although she speaks more than just English, her English is pretty developed. Underneath her vibrant personality lies a young woman who wears her heart on her sleeve and always speaks her mind.
When we decided to collaborate together, we both had different ideas of how to do it.  We knew we wanted to make her art into jewelry, it was just a matter of how.  I knew I for sure wanted to encase her art in resin and set it in a pendant.  Alex had a "go big or go home" mentality about the collaboration.  What I didn't realize is what would happen in the process.  Alex would come to inspire me and help me grow as an artist as well.

This is Alex, the artist....


What is your full name?

Alexandra Villaverde Ventura Jimenez

Where were you born?

Germany – but I swear there is no German blood in me – all Italian and Spanish!

Where & how long did you live in Europe?

I lived all over the place there… but never for long enough, because I miss it!

What languages do you speak?

English, Spanish, French, Italian, German & Latin

When did you start making art?

I don’t know. My mom says I was born with a pencil in my hand. She might be

exaggerating though :D

What do you like most about art?

It’s relaxing, and I can do what I want.

What would you like your art to convey?

Ummmm… what does convey mean? And this is how you know I am from

Europe :D
Haha! It means to "communicate" or "pass along".
So, what do you think your art says about you?

I don’t know… Maybe I should start a conversation with my brushes… I am open

for interpretation so if you want you can tell me what my work says about me.

Who is your favorite artist?

Benjamin Lacombe and Millarca LilyToune, you should all look them up – real

heroes!

Where do you get your ideas for your art?

From rainbows and pink unicorns… nah, I hate pink… To be honest, I try to

stay as true to my inner child as possible. I would say I take my ideas from my

imagination. Everything is possible!


Below is some of Alex's work:

 

 

 

Remember: honor the gifts you were given as a human being.  Until next time!

 

 

 

 

 



 

Mother's Day Giveaway & Other News!!

Hello Everyone!

Just a quick blog to let you all know what is going on in my neck of the woods.... 

First off, I would like to announce that I am participating in a Mother's Day giveaway, hosted by Life Songs of a Busy Mom.  The winner will be announced on Mother's Day.  You can check out the details on her blog here.  This is a MASSIVE giveaway, with prizes totaling over $1,600.00!!  ONE lucky mom will win it ALL!  Super awesome, right!?  Make sure to check it out & enter for a chance to win!

After a month long hiatus, I have finally returned home and back to designing.  That break was MUCH needed and well spent; I spent my time with family and friends back home in Texas and Arizona. I also spent some time just relaxing, reading and catching up on sleep.  It was pretty amazing!  Now I am back and ready to kick it into high gear!  I expect the month of May to be VERY productive for me. 

I am planning a trunk show here in Monument, Colorado.  I am also planning on getting some of my jewelry into local boutiques around the U.S.  So keep an eye out!  You might see my stuff in a boutique near you! 

I am also working on some new design concepts and a possible collaboration with the infamous Maxwell Black Collective.  I will keep you updated on that.  I am also looking into loaning some of my specialty pieces out to anyone who may be interested (pinups, models, photo shoots, weddings, ect).  As most of you may know by now, I loaned out some of my specialty pieces to the fabulous pinup, Lucy Luck, about a month ago.  Classy Keen Magazine liked her photos so much, they will be publishing them in an upcoming issue (details on that as soon as I know more).

One more thing...I am thinking about adding ad space to my blog for a small fee.  If interested, please email me at southernsideaccessories@gmail.com.  Subject line: Ad Space.

SO....as you can see, I am keeping busy, staying motivated, inspired and productive.  Thank you all for your continued support.  It means the world to me! 

Good news all around!

 

 

Hello Everyone!

 

I hope everyone is having a good week so far!  Just wanted to write a quick blog to let you all know of the good news that has been sprouting up with Southern Side Accessories.

 

First of all, most of you all may know, but in case you don't, I'm excited to announce that my jewelry will be published in Classy Keen Magazine!  The lovely Lucy Luck will be wearing my jewelry.  Photos were taken by CayS In Wonderland photography and makeup and hair done by the fabulous Alanna Little.  We are all excited that our work will be published!  I can't thank Lucky Luck, Christina from CayS In Wonderland photography and Classy Keen Magazine, enough!  I'm honored and grateful to have this opportunity!  Hopefully this will just be the beginning of an awesome collaboration! :)  I will post more details as they arrive to me about which edition of the magazine our stuff will be published and how you can buy yourself a copy!

 

Secondly, IT'S OFFICIAL!  I have the domain rights to www.southernsideaccessories.com.  You can take a peek at the site now if you would like. However, it doesn't look like much yet.  It is still all under construction.  Photos of my jewelry by the awesome James Tanksley are still being photographed and my website developer is still hard at work trying to make everything look just right!

 

So far, April has been a very good month for Southern Side Accessories!  Here's to hoping it will continue!  Thank you everyone for your continued support and love!  I couldn't do it without you all either!  I feel truly blessed!

 

Until next time....

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 100 Giveaway Winners!!

Hey Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a good week so far!  This will be a short blog, as I am home in Texas visiting family. :)  Just wanted to post the Giveaway winners.  I announced them on Facebook April 1st, but here they are again.

FIRST PLACE: SHARLEE M.

SECOND PLACE: LEE A.

THIRD PLACE: ISABEL G.

FOURTH PLACE: LEEN G.

There you go!  CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners!  I hope you all love your gifts!  Thank you to everyone who participated too!  I can't wait to do another giveaway!  I had fun and I hope you all did too! :)

Get to know Southern Side Accessories, Owner & Designer, Lisa Gorski

Photo by: Natalie Galione


Hi Everyone!  Got some great questions for this blog!  Let's get started...

Owner and Designer of Southern Side Accessories, Lisa Gorski, has been creating jewelry for many years. She started creating jewelry while she was working in the art industry in Las Vegas, Nevada. Before working in the art industry, Lisa studied and worked in interior design and photography. Working in all of her creative fields gave her a keen eye for style and color. Southern Side Accessories is inspired by Lisa's southern roots. Born in Texas, lived in Arizona and now residing in Colorado, she takes her Southern roots where ever she goes. Southern Side Accessories specializes in making charming and pretty jewelry and accessories with a stylish, Southern flare.

From Lisa: "Here at Southern Side Accessories, my work is inspired by vintage Southern Belle attire. I believe that pastel and pale colors, along with a string of pearls and some crystals on the side is the heart of Southern style. I find my Southern Belle couture to be charming, lovable, chic and most of all, sophisticated. I try in every piece of my work to create and convey those qualities".    

Alex M. asks:
What was the most expensive piece you ever made? (with photo please)
Great question, Alex!  The most expensive piece I have ever made, I actually made more recently.  I made a three strand pearl necklace for a pin-up model in Seattle.  Her name is Lucy Luck, you should check out her work sometime! :)  Here is the photo of the necklace that I made:

 

 

Alex M:

Is there anything you would refuse to make? (I mean in jewelry terms, of course).

I don't think there is anything that I would refuse to make for jewelry.  I figure, as long as I have knowledge of how to make it, then why not?

Alex M:
On which celebrity would you like to see your jewelry?

Probably any country music singer would be amazing!  Reba has ALWAYS been my idol since I was a little girl, so I would have to say Reba McEntire the most, though.


Ashley B. Asks:
How long have you been married?

My husband, Bryan and I have been married for going on 10 years this year in December. :)
This is us <3 :

 

Ashley B:
Tell us about scout.

Scout is mine and Bryan's fuzzy baby.  He is our dog of seven years.  We adopted him from a pet shelter when we lived in Japan.  He's been a part of our family ever since!

Scout LOVES car rides!

Ashley B:

Tell us about all the places you have lived. Like living in Japan, for instance.

My husband used to be in the United States Air Force and our first station was overseas in Misawa, Japan, about eight hours north of Tokyo.  We moved to Japan from our home in Tucson, Arizona.  We LOVED it in Japan!  The people were so nice and Misawa, which was a small town, was so lush and green; out of the three months it wasn't snowing, anyway!  After Japan, my husband and I got stationed to Las Vegas, Nevada.  After Vegas, he got out of the military and we moved to Austin, Texas for one year, then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado for Bryan's job.  Now we live right outside of Colorado Springs, in Monument, Colorado and we love it here. :)  So moving around for us, it pretty normal! Haha!!

 

Those are all the questions for now.  Want to know more?  Just ask! :) Thank you for reading and have a great Easter weekend, everyone!

 





 

 



 

 

Favorite Friday



Hello Everyone!

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted a blog.  I've been taking time to recover from my surgery. Thank you all for your love, understanding & support the last couple of weeks! 

....Now let's get to the blog!

When I have time, I try out new TV shows on Netflix.  A few months ago, I got hooked on the series Hart of Dixie.  I can't get enough of that show!  It just draws me in, every episode.  But it isn't just because of the great script writing and plot....it is something else that draws me in.  I finally figured it out though!  Beside the show taking place in the south (the south is where I was born and I will always call home) I realized that I couldn't get enough of the clothing styles!  As much as I love Zoe Hart's (Rachel Bilson) New York style wardrobe, I absolutely fell in love with Lemon Breeland's (Jaime King) Southern Belle inspired wardrobe!  I couldn't wait for the next episode to see what the stylist, Meredith Markworth-Pollack, would dress Jaime King in next!  Her character's 1950's/Southern Belle attire really started to inspire me.  In my opinion, the pastel/pale colors, hair flowers and string of pearls have become the character's signature look. 

Here at Southern Side Accessories, I believe those qualities are the heart of southern style.  I am inspired, every time I sit down to create a piece of jewelry, by the trend Southern Belles have set.  I find southern belle couture, charming, lovable, chic and most of all, sophisticated.  I try, in every piece of my jewelry, to create and convey those qualities.

I collected a few favorite photos of Lemon's wardrobe and I will share them with you now. :)  All photos courtesy of: Meredith Markworth-Pollack's website.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this blog as much as I enjoyed putting it together!  Until next time....

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



MARCH 100 GIVEAWAY~~Gifts

Hi Everyone!

Just put the finishing touches on the seven gifts for my giveaway.  Without further ado, here they are! :)


First Place

Second Place

Third Place

Fourth Place



Fifth Place

Sixth Place



 Seventh Place

 I hope you love the gifts as much as I loved making them! Read the rules HERE, then enter to win HERE. 

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!! :)