Featured Seller: Cranberry Dreams

Originally from the United States, Londi Luce has lived in France for the last 15 years, where she created pieces for boutiques, artisan markets and art galleries around the world. Londi now calls Auckland home, and her ornaments can be found in her Felt shop, Cranberry Dreams.

What do you make? Christmas ornaments and wearable art jewellery.

How did you get into your craft?
About thirteen years ago, I was feeling a strong need to get back in touch with jewellery fabricating; however I was lacking the tools and space to start such an adventure. With the holidays approaching, I decided to experiment with making bulbs, but still wanted something that would fulfill my desire to touch and look at metal.

I started working with glitter, but still needed to feel something more natural; this is where sand came in! I developed a mix and a technique and got busy creating! After years of trial and error, I ventured into the world of craft shows, where I was successfully received and then began selling online!

Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
Sand, glitter, wood, paint, wool, felt, zippers, metal, gems.

Is there a philosophy behind your work?
Reduce, reuse, recycle, re-inspire, and refashion!

Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I’m a third generation jeweller. My father is a master goldsmith; his mother was a jeweller and her father as well. I was lucky to be born in to a family full of talented artists and grew up with both a jewellery shop and pottery shop in my home. The feeling of melting or manipulating metal, touching stones or having my hands dirty with clay has always stuck with me!
 
galleryI started making jewellery at a very young age. When I was little, my mother bought my brother and me little pocket knives and bars of soap for us to carve. By the time I was 16, I was soldering, sizing and wax carving, to which I took a real liking. Today I have incorporated these skills into my Cranberry Dreams shop, as well as my unique jewellery that you can also find here on Felt as Chic Boutique!

If you were a crafty superhero, what would your name and superpower be?
Artease-a : ability to push the unique from the ordinary.

What inspires you?
I am really just a kid at heart, inspired by tradition, nature, lighting, flowers, anything from a rock to a grain of sand – a piece of gold to a piece of glitter! (You will see what I mean at Christmas!)

I love to cook and bake (don’t like the calories), and it is reflected in the work I do as well as my titles. I like my Christmas ornaments looking and smelling edible – with sweet touches of cinnamon, punchy peppermint twist and delicate forms of nature! I call my jewellery “wearable art” or “eye-candy.” Everything I make is strongly influenced by my many years in France!

What was the last handmade item you bought? A beautiful handmade gift card.

A favourite quote:
Oh, I have too many, but some of my faves would have to be from Maya Angelou; my favourite is too long, “Every Woman Should……” Here are some others though!

“Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realise that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.” ― Maya Angelou

“When you learn, teach, when you get, give.” ― Maya Angelou

Your favourite childhood book? Where the Red Fern Grows

What are you reading now? Anything Considered by Peter Mayle

Have a browse in Cranberry Dreams to make sure your Christmas tree looks its best this year, and if you leave a comment below, you’ll also go in the draw to win a set of two large and two mini snowflake ornaments made by Londi. The draw is open to New Zealand residents only until Friday 7 December.