Hi there, I’m Lisa Anderson Shaffer, designer and owner of Zelma Rose, creating meticulously handcrafted classic jewelry and accessories for modern living. I’m crafty to the core, a perfectionist of sorts, and believe that a great accessory honors the past and winks at the future.
About a year and a half ago, while pregnant with my daughter I experienced a major creative awakening. I had not worked as a fine artist for about 5 years, since pursuing my psychotherapy license. It was the first time in my life I had ever worked as something other than an artist. I loved it, but I could always feel my passion and drive to be creative burning within. The prospect of becoming a mom encouraged me to be true to myself and fully engage with my creativity once again. I am now a full time stay at home mom, which is definitely the most creative job I’ve ever had, and in between all of the excitement of daily life with my daughter I design for Zelma Rose.
When I sit down in my studio to design for Zelma Rose, I reference a kaleidoscope of ideas and images. As an artist, I am a hunter and a gatherer. A visual editor, a collector, a cultivator, and a farmer of ideas and design. Sometimes a design will come to fruition in a single afternoon, other times it is the careful cultivation of successes and failures over the span of a year. My signature chalkboard lockets were a year in the making, when one day everything just clicked. Moments like that feel magical and remind me how much I love the mystery of the artistic process.
Collaborating with other artists and my customers is the best! I am constantly inspired by the passion and creativity of my fellow Bay Area crafters. I love collaborating with other artists on projects. There is always something new to learn in this business, whether it is a new creative skill, or playing around with a fun new photography application, and who better to learn it from than a crafty friend. I am also really inspired by my customers. It is fascinating to see how customers make Zelma Rose their own. I really enjoy opportunities like craft shows where I can speak with my customers face to face, get their feedback on new designs and hear how they are enjoying their favorite Zelma Rose pieces.
Making peace with the fact that just like I will never have the time to read all the books ever written, I will also never have to time to create every single idea that I sketch or dream about. The simple fact that there has to be an editing process of what gets cultivated to a final design and what doesn’t, can feel like the worst part. Putting the breaks on inspiration is difficult, but with a business to nurture, it is a necessary part of the process.
I really enjoy creating personalized pieces for my customers. I encourage the curious to contact me to discuss ideas for custom pieces for weddings, birthdays, and that special handcrafted gift. There is nothing like sending handmade love from San Francisco!
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