Jewelry designer and author, Naomi Fujimoto

Naomi teaches at The Beadshop in Palo Alto with a very enthusiastic learner!

Naomi in a TV appearance demonstrating for her book, Cool Jewels, on the program "Living the Life" with Louise and Carolyn, two of the hosts!

BeadStyle magazine cover, March 2007. It is a delightful example of the relaxed yet unique style which is the signature of many of Naomi's charming, unforced jewelry designs.

The wonderful cover of Cool Jewels, by Naomi Fujimoto

all images copyright Naomi Fujimoto or Kalmbach Publishing Company

Interview with Naomi Fujimoto for Links

Naomi Fujimoto is a senior editor at BeadStyle magazine. Her first book, Cool Jewels, was published by Kalmbach Publishing Co. in 2007. She has lived in San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and currently lives in Milwaukee.

1) Tell a little about yourself and your background.

I don’t have formal training in art or jewelry, but I took a class at a bead store in L.A. when I was living there. I loved it! Once I got back to Milwaukee (I grew up here), I started selling my work and then got a job at BeadStyle (which launched in 2003). Back then, I didn’t really realize I could make a living out of my hobby — because I’m an academic by training — but I just celebrated my fifth year at BeadStyle see BeadStyle here .

2) What happened to you that made you consciously decide to become the person you are? How did your creativity, which you have chosen to fashion into a career, first express itself? At what moment did you know that you would never turn back?

I grew up making crafts in my friends’ basements. My parents still have some of my framed artwork up on the walls of their house! Also, they’ve taught me that hard work and integrity are everything, so I tend to think a lot about whether something feels right. They’ve encouraged me in my professional pursuits, regardless of how many times I’ve changed my mind. I tend to embrace things 100 percent. Even though I might spend a lot of time deciding whether to do something, I get pretty committed, fast. It can be a double-edged sword. A couple of years ago, I took a glass ornament class with Doug Remschneider. He’s a great teacher, but I am not such a skilled glass blower. My icicles looked like swirls of soft-serve and my onion-shaped ornament turned out like a digestive tract. We laughed about it but I hated not being good at it! see Doug Remschneider's link here: I’m not sure that there was a “never turn back” moment for me. As much as I love designing jewelry, I feel open to whatever professional possibilities are out there for me. And, my jewelry career has had many different aspects to it: selling jewelry, designing and writing for the magazine, teaching and doing community work, writing and promoting my book. See Naomi's terrific book, Cool Jewels, here on Amazon.com (as well as other bookstores)!

3) What are you most proud of?

My ability to connect with people. That I have friends from childhood, college, grad school, work, tennis — from pretty much every aspect of my life. I feel like I’ve been able to attract really good people, professionally and personally. And my family definitely keeps me in line — particularly my sister, who tends to be pragmatic in her approach to life.

4) What do you see happening for yourself in the future? For example: things which will change for you, things you hope for, things which will stay the same<--just thoughts--go anywhere you like.

I’d like to develop my first-person writing. I enjoy making jewelry and sharing that with people, but I also enjoy the solitary process of writing. It’s satisfying because it’s such a challenge. Someone once asked me what my ten-year plan was and I couldn’t answer. Maybe because I seem to have lots of one- and two-year plans.

5) What makes you feel fortunate?

Being at a job I like. We have a solid group of people here, and everyone brings a different style and perspective. Also, I feel gratitude that my family and friends (and dog!) are happy and healthy. That I have the energy to learn new things. Last year I sprained my knee and couldn’t play tennis for four months. It was a depressing time. But it affected my attitude for the better: now, if I’m not playing well, I try to remind myself that a year ago I could barely play. That really puts things in perspective. I think gratitude is a conscious practice. Not every day is a good one, but I try to always find something.

6) Do you think you see the world differently than other people? If so, is that a positive or a negative force in your work?

I do see the world differently. I’m an overanalyzer, which can be an obstacle in doing creative work. It’s hard to say, “It is what it is.” What you think becomes reality, but there’s definitely a point where you can undermine your confidence by overthinking things. That said, being deliberate in my thinking helps me do good work: details matter.

7) Do you have something to say here in this article to sum up something important you would like people to know about the creative process?

Trust your judgment. (That doesn’t really go along with overanalyzing, does it?) Even though it sounds trite, enjoy the process. No one gets results all the time, on their first try. At least with the jewelry I make (which is mostly stringing), I can take a break from it and come back with a new perspective. For my own creativity, I have to be a little forgiving. I think it’s a myth that creativity just happens; I think it comes from effort as much as from inspiration.

CONTACT INFO: Learn more about Naomi
on her blog, Cool Jewels Naomi Blogspot

This interview, as well as the copyrighted images provided by Naomi, can also be found on my Amazon blog: http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2K4HN6EECBNR3/ref=cm_pdp_profile_changeview?viewAs=Public&Go.x=9&Go.y=3/

Thank you so much, Naomi, for this honest and great insight into what drives your inspiration and your creative energy. Additionally thanks for these observations on what instills in you your marvelous sense of beauty !
jean