Interview with a Star - Ira from TomBjornDesigns

 If you ever see this shop you will always want to come back. They have the loveliest necklaces and cute crochet rings which will make you feel so cozy. There is so much more there! Ira, the owner of TomBjornDesigns is telling us about her shop and her inspirations. It is especially nice when you know that today is Ira's birthday!

So happy birthday, Ira! We wish you all the best and may your all wishes come true!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a Russian/ Israeli girl living in Sweden. (and I am turning 30 today, so I am not sure if "girl" still applies to me :))

And I think you can see it in my items - some are inspired by Mediterranean treasures, some by cold Northern fjords, so by my memories from the Soviet Union.
I live in a small apartment, which I am sharing with the man of my dreams and my business. And my beads take most of the space in the apartment.

How long have you been creating?
Since forever. Sometimes I think I was sitting in my mom's belly with a crocheting hook and a handful of beads... or buttons :)

What would you say makes your shop unique?
Probably the mix of old and new. I am inspired from vintage jewelry, but I am trying to put it into new context.
On top of my handmade items I am selling vintage beauties that I happened to find. Nothing makes me more happy than seeing it being shipped to it's new home.

What is the most important about your work?
I am trying to make happy items, and I hope that my customers feel it. Also, I mix the colors and materials in order to give my necklaces a flirty and unusual look.
And the last but not the least, I love my customers. I am trying to provide the best customer service possible, and hope they feel it!

What inspires you and what is the day in your studio look like?
Everything inspires me! Nature, vintage shops, my dreams, beautiful handwriting, my grandmother's photographs, and of course, love of my life, Stockholm.

Your versatile necklace / bracelets line is so popular. What's the key?
Well, first of all it is their versatility that makes them so appealing. They can be worn in so many different ways and my customers like to change their look every day. Another things that makes them my best-seller is probably the colors... and the love I invest in carefully picking the color palettes.

Do you take custom orders?
Yes, I love them. I love to follow the imagination of my customer and to make quite unexpected things for me.
This necklace was inspired by a customer:

Where would you like to go with your business?
I would love to develop it further and to brand it better. I dream of selling it to shops and galleries on a regular basis (so far I had only several orders from various galleries, but I work on it!)