Q&A with Maya Brenner

1. When did you begin making your own jewelry?

I've always made jewelry, even as a little girl.  In college I made beaded chandelier earrings and then taught all my roommates how.  But I didn't start my jewelry business until many years later when I was living in New York City.  I started doing it part-time at first in 1998 and then quit my full-time job a year later.

2. How difficult was it starting out as a new designer?

It's more difficult now to break into the business than when I started.  It seems that making your own jewelry is much more popular and so many more people are starting to design their own lines.

3. What are your favourite materials to work with?

I love sparkly semi-precious stones in unique cuts and shapes.  I especially love to mix those with pretty chains and links.

4. What skills do you need to make beaded jewelry?

All you really need is the desire to make something!  Everything else is easy and/or comes with practice.

5. Why do you encourage people to experiment with making their own jewelry?

Because there are so many good reasons to make your own jewelry!  Number one is that it allows you to be creative; you can make custom styles that are exactly what you want.  Second, it's a fun hobby that I happen to find relaxing.  Plus, making jewelry is cheaper than buying jewelry in stores.

6. What is your favourite project from the book?

It's really hard to choose just one.  I spent so much time developing each of them and working out the instructions that I've become attached to all of them!  The “Lovely Lariat” was the first project I completed for the book, but I really love the stones and colours in the “Swing-time Earrings.”

I think people assume earrings are easiest because they are smaller, but that's not true. Making earrings usually involves wrapping a loop with wire which is an intermediate skill.  I always suggest stringing a simple necklace first since it's a beginner skill level and is very satisfying to wear once completed.

8. Do you have a favourite piece of jewelry that you always wear?

I wear my wedding bands everyday as well as a watch given to me by my husband.  My rings are platinum and the watch is gold, but I wear them together all the time since I love mixing metals.  I also still wear the gold leaf charm necklace that I designed after my son, Jack, was born almost 3 years ago.  I hardly ever wear pieces from previous seasons since my tastes are always changing but that particular necklace is trendy and timeless at the same time.  I call it my “instant glamour” necklace.  When Jack was a newborn and I was wearing sweatpants and dirty t-shirts all the time, I'd put that necklace on and voila, I'd feel glamorous!  

9. How do you balance being an entrepreneur and the mother of a young child?

The good thing is that I work from home. The bad thing is that I work from home.  I like being available to my family, but it's incredibly difficult to focus sometimes.  I have to manage my time incredibly well, and I certainly can't burn the midnight oil like I used to.  Now that I have a family, I try to limit my travel as much as possible.

10. You've conquered the fashion world and now the publishing world.  What's next for Maya Brenner?

I'm continuing to design my own line while serving as head designer of Luxe Jewels.  And I've been in talks with QVC for quite some time about creating a line of jewelry for them, so we'll see what happens!