On Your Mind Creative Spotlight- Interview with Creations by Jay

Today's "On Your Mind" is special because it is Valentine's Day.

Janelle: Welcome, first I would like to thank you for the beautiful pieces you made for the Valentine’s Day  Giveaway. I want everyone to enter for their chance to win a gift card and a special piece designed for the winner.

Jacqueline L. Smith

Janelle: Introduce yourself, what is your name?

Jacqueline: Jacqueline Smith and you’re very welcome.

Janelle: How old are you?

Jacqueline: I am 31 years old.

Janelle: What is the name of your business?

Jacqueline: Creations by Jay

Janelle: How long have you been creating jewelry?

Jacqueline: I have been creating jewelry for almost a year now.

Janelle: “Mind of a Brown Skin Beauty” has followers from everywhere, where in the U.S. are you?

Jacqueline: I reside in Chicago, IL

Janelle: What’s your business’ URL?

Jacqueline: www.etsy.com/shop/Jay1979

Janelle: Do you have a Social Networking site for your business that you would like to share?

Jacqueline: Yes I do. You can find me on Facebook www.facebook.com/CreationsbyJay and also on Twitter www.twitter.com/CreationsbyJay.

Janelle: Tell us a little about your business.

Jacqueline: I started Creations by Jay in May 2010. I have always had a love for jewelry since I was a little girl. I decided to take that passion and turn into something creative where I could express myself. I really enjoy creating things by hand because it has a more personal touch to it. My designs are geared to women and men of all ages. I also design pieces for young girls and boys as well.

Janelle: Tell us a little about yourself and what makes designing special to you?

Jacqueline: I am a mother of 3 and I am also a full-time student working towards my B.A. in Psychology. Designing is special to me because it allows me to express myself creatively. In my personal opinion when you design something by hand you are putting your heart & soul into it. Each piece created gives a little insight into you as a person.

Janelle: How did you come up with the idea to start a jewelry design business?

Jacqueline: To be honest it was a spur of the moment kind of thing. I was actually out shopping for jewelry and couldn’t find anything that appealed to me so I decided to try and create something myself just for a specific occasion. Little did I know it would turn into a small business!

Janelle: What inspired your design for the pieces you designed for the "I Love 2 Love Giveaway"?

Jacqueline: I was inspired by my love for the color red and romance and what better way to express that creatively than on one of the most romantic days of the year, Valentine’s Day.

Janelle: What are your future plans for your business?

Jacqueline: My future plan is to open my own boutique and continue to expand.

Janelle: Your own boutique will be awesome. Just keep pushing for it. What advice would you offer to an aspiring entrepreneur interested in jewelry design?

Jacqueline: I would say, follow your dreams. It’s not easy but with hard work and determination anything is possible.

Janelle: One more thought tell us one thing that makes your business unique?

Jacqueline: My business is unique because each piece is an original is never duplicated.
Janelle: Here on Mind of a Brown Skin Beauty we like to encourage and uplift, can you tell us one time when you wanted to give up, but didn’t?

Jacqueline: Towards the end of last 2010 and the beginning of 2011 I was ready to give up on my jewelry business because it had hit a standstill, but with the encouragement and support of a really good friend I held on and now things are looking very promising.

Janelle: Would you like to share anything else about yourself or your business?

Jacqueline: With this being Black History Month I am proud to have a black owned and operated business.
Janelle: How do perspective clients contact you?

Jacqueline: I can be reached by phone at 773-708-1080 or by email CreationsbyJay@live.com

Janelle: Thank you Jacqueline for sharing your creativity with us. It was a pleasure working with you and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about your passion. I look forward to working with you in the future.



****If you would like to be featured as a creative spotlight, please email me at brownmindbeauty@gmail.com for more information with Creative Spotlight in the subject.

On Your Mind- Interview With Angela Alise Johnson

Angela Alise Johnson

Janelle: Welcome, first I would like to say you were great in the play The Wiz this past weekend. I took my  family and we had a blast laughing. My daughter skipped through the parking lot singing “Ease On Down the Road”. It was great to see you in a role like this.

Angela: Thank you so much Janelle! This role really meant a lot to me and I’m so glad you all liked it!

Janelle: How old are you?

Angela: I am actually turning 27years old on Thanksgiving Day.

Janelle: “Mind of a Brown Skin Beauty” has followers from everywhere, where in the U.S. are you?

Angela: I’m originally from Kansas City, Missouri but I have lived in Chicago now for almost 8 years.

Janelle: How long have you been acting?

Angela: I have been acting since I was maybe 5 or 6 years old.

Janelle: When did you first know you wanted to be an actress?

Angela: I have pretty much always known that I wanted to act, but I would say high school is when my love for theatre got serious. And the older I get, I just keep feeling like if I did anything else it just wouldn’t be
right.

Janelle: Do you sing and dance?

Angela: I sing and love doing it! And I like dancing too but am not very good at all at picking up choreographed dances, so I’m working on it by taking classes.

Janelle: Do you have a Social Networking site that you would like to share?

Angela: I am on Facebook so folks can find me that way, but I am working on a website right now and would love for people to visit it when it is finished. The web address is www.angelaalise.com and it should be all ready to go by the end of the month.

Janelle: Tell us a little about yourself and what makes acting special to you?

Angela: Well let’s see... I come off very shy and quiet to most people when they first meet me. Then once they get to know me they find out I am loud and very opinionated. Lol! I am very family oriented and rely on them a lot to keep me grounded. Theatre is so special to me because it allows me to see the world through another person’s eyes and experience all types of new and interesting things.

Janelle: Who inspires you?

Angela: My parents and brothers inspire me. My parents are very hard working and have instilled in me really great values. I have 3 brothers. Each of them is very unique and talented and they inspire me to keep striving to reach my goals.

Janelle: Do you have a favourite actress/actor?

Angela: It is hard to choose just one because there are so many people I like, but I would say a few of my favs are Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, and Don Cheadle.

Janelle: I saw you in the production of the Wiz, what was it like to be Dorothy?

Angela: It was a very vocally and physically demanding role but I loved every minute of it. I learned so much about myself and the character emotionally. At the end of it all I was extremely exhausted and blessed at the same time! :-)

Janelle: As a young black actress, what are some challenges you’ve faced?

Angela: Being typed cast is the biggest challenge. I hate it when people say I can’t do something because I’m too short or too young or not black enough. You know? It is frustrating but there are a lot of directors out there who love to think outside the box, so I have been getting a lot thicker skinned about these things. And I know that there is another audition just waiting for me.

Janelle: What has been your most favourite role?

Angela: My fav role that I played was Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun.

Janelle: What advice would you offer to an aspiring actress?

Angela: Just keep working on your craft. That is what all my mentors and teachers have told me. If you want to do something then you learn how and never let anyone stop you from achieving your goals. When one door closes another one opens and that is truly what happens in this business.

Janelle: Is there anything online where we can watch your performances?

Angela: I will have video and sound clips available for people to view online at www.angelaalise.com shortly.
.
Janelle: Here on Mind of a Brown Skin Beauty we like to encourage and uplift, can you tell one time when you wanted to give up, but didn’t?

Angela: I’d say about a year and half ago when I wasn’t doing much theatre, and I felt stuck like I was never going to get back out there again. I wanted to give up but I spent a lot of time praying and crying and talking to my friends and family. And they encouraged me. God and my family are the ones who have believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself so I really can’t thank them enough for that. And the best thing I have ever done is set a Gospel Station on my Pandora Radio. Gospel music keeps me sane!

Janelle: Where are some of your upcoming performances, so we can check you out?

Angela: I will be performing in a play called Church with the Red Tape Theatre Company. It will run late January to early March. Your readers can visit www.redtapetheatre.org for details and tickets info.

Janelle: What are your future plans?

Angela: My future goals are to find an agent so that I can have help with breaking into tv/film. I also hope to start my own theatre company some day or at least play a major role in a non profit theatre company in Chicago or New York. I am trying to learn as much as I can about the business and artistic side of things.

Janelle: Angela, it has been a pleasure to have such a talented and gifted young woman graces the pages of Mind of a Brown Skin Beauty. You definitely are a “brown skin beauty” with an inspirational mind. Keep up the good work and we looking forward to seeing you on the big screen in the future.

Angela: Thank you Janelle!