Interview with Tracy Matthews

I was just interviewed for the max and chloe website....thought I would share it with you....

Have you always wanted to design things?

I can’t say always…..but when I was a little girl I used to draw all of the time and thought that I wanted to design wedding dresses. I found my passion for jewelry design when I was in my early 20’s in college after taking a jewelry fabrication class.

How did you decide to become a jewelry designer?

Once I realized I had some talent (see above question), my jewelry instructor at LMU began mentoring me, so to speak. I quickly began selling my jewelry to friends and family and decided that this was my passion and dream.

What is your favorite creation?

Currently, my rose-cut cocktail rings….although every season it differs. The most classic and longstanding designs that I have designed are my collection of hoop earrings. Most are simple and basic, but they are so wearable….I wear hoops every day.

How would you describe your jewelry?

Delicate and personal! I am inspired by nature, vintage jewelry and art, but a lot of my ideas come out of my yoga teaching and practice. Strange things happen when you are fueling creative energy. My hope is that clients collect my jewelry. My friends and regulars still wear jewelry from my first collections (over 9 years ago) usually layered with pieces from the newest collections.

How did you get started?

After college, I moved from LA to San Francisco….and put my desire to start my business on hold for a bit. With the encouragement of friends and family, I had made a decision that I wanted to design jewelry full time and one day quit my job in retail and created my first collection. Within a few months, I was in several stores and hired my first employee…that was 9 years ago.

Who do you admire?

Has this helped you in your career path? There are so many people that I admire that it is difficult to choose one…people like Ghandi and Audrey Hepburn have always inspired me….but on a more intimate level…I think I have always been inspired by my grandparents for many reasons. Mainly because my grandmother was the person who ran the ship in my mother’s household (she had 12 children who then spawned 55 grandchildren and too many great grand children to count) and my grandfather started a restaurant empire with nothing more than a 8th grade education. In addition, they were people of great faith, charity and conviction. They lived their lives in alignment with their values which I feel is something that is faltering in our society. Although my beliefs are different than theirs, I would like to think that these fundamental values are things that I aspire to as an entrepreneur, business owner, yoga instructor and someone who believes in the importance of giving back to society.

Have you ever expressed yourself through another path apart from jewelry design?

Yes, I am also a yoga instructor (currently at Equinox Fitness in NYC) and for me this is a true expression of creativity on a fundamental level. I love inspiring people. The expansion of personal growth that I have experienced is beyond words and I just hope that I can motivate my student to find that type of growth and creativity in themselves. I also write a blog that was originally supposed to be about jewelry and things going on at TMD…but has definitely turned into something else. It was recently picked up by a fantastic website that mentors and inspires women called http://www.realbeautyis.com/. You can view my blog at http://tracymatthewsdesignsinc.blogspot.com/

Where did you grow up? Where did you go to college, and what did you study?

I grew up in the “OC” (Newport Beach, California)! Most people would never guess by meeting me. I received a BA in European Studies, Cum Laude, from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Can you describe your favorite piece of jewelry from your childhood?

Anything in my mothers jewelry box….but when I was older, my Laurel Birch enamel earrings….so strange since I don’t even know if she is around anymore…but loved, loved them in the 6th grade.

Where do you travel to?

Anywhere that I can….India, Mexico, New Zealand, Hawaii, South America, Europe (all over) and Sun Valley, ID! I am going to Buenos Aires in December and cannot wait!

What inspires you in everyday life?

There are so many things that inspire me…so I will list them…My sister, Carlie (she works with me), and my friends. They are a great support system, always keep me on path and grounded when I waver and have the best advice when I am stuck.

My Yoga Practice…I have been practicing yoga for 13 years and teaching for 5….it brings me so much joy and I always feel better after…no matter what.

Gratitude….I try to be grateful every day for what I have…because often times things don’t go our way, and it is really easy to get stuck in a slump….and I am not saying that I never get stuck there…I just prefer to celebrate the fantastic things in my life…

Music, laughter and dancing….I walk to work everyday with my iPod on usually singing out loud and dancing….and then I laugh at myself when people look at me funny!

What is the most important thing you have learned about who you are since you've started to pursue your dream of designing jewelry?

I have learned that “I am who I am” and not what the market indicates. I do not design “Fashion Jewelry” as translated by the fashion market. My jewelry is collectible, personal and delicate and I decided to stop trying to be something different than that.

How would you describe your ideal jewelry?

Layers and layers of necklaces….delicate, simple and easy.

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?

Besides the pieces that I have that were once my mothers, vintage or ethnic (purchased on my travels)…..My recycled gold and rose-cut diamond necklace from my fine jewelry collection and Hoops…I have at least 20 pairs and have designed at least 50 styles of hoops since I started my business.

What is your favorite trend?

My own personal style…not a trend but I just said that I don’t design “trend” jewelry

What do you hope to accomplish as a jewelry designer?

Long term, I hope to develop a business that has a standard practice of giving back to communities and charities. I am moving my company in an ethical direction, developing my line from sustainable and fair trade materials and resources. I also hope to merge my worlds as yoga instructor, philanthropist and designer into something bigger than just being a company that sells jewelry.