Featured Maker: Squeeka at Just Duckie Designs

She had us at "foxy" and we love the words she chooses for her work. We really like the pops of color she adds to her pieces too! Thank goodness her Grandmother gave her a little push...Let's meet Squeeka at Just Duckie Designs.

I’ve been making jewelry for as long as I can remember. Jewelry making, in one form or another, has always been a part of me. I was a very artsy kid. I can remember sitting around stringing pony beads on yarn or gluing little plastic jewels together. One of my favorite things to do when I was little was to cut pictures of jewelry out of magazines and then attach them to thread and wear them like fine jewels. I felt very fancy!

Making jewelry was natural for me. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t make jewelry. In high school I was constantly making beaded bracelets for friends. In the late 90’s, beaded bracelets with words on them were EVERYTHING. I loved putting everyone’s special messages on bracelets and picking out pretty beads to match their favorites colors. Looking back, I guess it shouldn’t be a shock that I came to love stamping so much.

I was constantly making jewelry for myself, friends and family. For me, it was a natural transition from a personal hobby to starting my own business. But it was my grandma who really pushed me in the direction of selling my work. She’s the one who lit the business match. I remember sitting in a hot tub in Baraboo, Wisconsin when she told me that I needed to start selling my work. That was around 2005. That seems so long ago now!

My favorite pieces are always the ones with special meanings behind them. I have so many pieces I love, but the special requests and gifts are always the best. I have customers who write to me detailing important moments in their lives – ones that make me laugh, ones that make me cry. And then they present me with an idea to commemorate that moment. Collaborating on something that is unique and special to someone is truly amazing.

I love that I’m able to mark special moments in people lives. And I love that I can make pieces that say something. I love words and I’m a HUGE reader. Reading is so important to who I am. Being able to put words, sayings or quotes onto metal is so empowering. I have so much fun dreaming up things that I think are fun or meaningful. I love being able to help others express themselves through my work.

I have so many favorite Beaducation Original Metal Design Stamps. Though I bought him years ago, the fox is STILL a current favorite of mine. I kind of forgot that I had him for a long time, but when I started preparing for fall and winter shows, I found myself reaching for him a lot. Isn't he cute?

I’m also loving the new mermaid stamps. I have the one where she’s sort of lying down. She’s so fun and flirty. And the new unicorn stamps! I haven’t bought it yet, but the standing unicorn will be MINE. Those three are so fun and whimsical, which is a direction my designs having been going recently. 

We thank Squeeka for sharing her story with us and hope that you will consider shopping with her next time you are need of a gift for your friends, family, colleagues or yourself.

Visit her Etsy store here. Follow Just Duckie Designs on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

If you would like to be considered as a Featured Maker for Beaducation, please email Angela@Beaducation.com.