An Interview and Giveaway with Emmy Ray

My name is Emily “Jungden” Walters and I am located in Kansas City, MO.
Born and raised here, I attended Notre Dame de Sion high school and
received my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Missouri State University,
Springfield. I have a dual emphasis in printmaking and metalsmithing, and
a minor in art history.



Since graduating I have worked in a few different jobs, including metalsmithing assistant to local designer Robyn Nichols, and as an elementary art teacher at Our Lady of Peace School, However I have always maintained my own small business on the side, emmy-ray, and am now lucky to be doing it full time. I do freelance jewelry design, and sell my products online and here in Kansas City at bon bon atelier (in Westport). I also enjoy teaching the occasional metal smithing work shop at genevieve flynn studios. I am a member of the Kansas City Wedding Hive, a collective of local artists and designers interested in creating indie and alternative wedding experiences for their clients. My main area of work at the moment is metal smithing (jewelry design) and floral design, but I also dabble in interior design, video editing, and painting. I am passionate about art, fashion, and design, and if it calls for a creative mind, I am usually up for the challenge.



1. What inspires you to come up with new designs?

If I spend too much time away from the studio, I start to get the creative
"itch". I'm inspired constantly by things I see everyday. The shape of a
leaf, the color of a beautiful piece of fabric, a bit of vintage
embroidery, inspiration is everywhere. I'm an avid blog reader, and a
lover of fashion (especially vintage).



2. How long have you been creating?

I've been a crafter ever since I was a kid. My grandmother was big into
sewing and let me play around in her studio all the time. I received my
bachelor of fine arts in 2005 in Printmaking and Metalsmithing. I started
my business emmy-ray in 2007 while still working full time making someone
else's jewelry. Two years ago I was able to "quit my day job" and work
full time. In the past two years I've also started doing floral design
for weddings and events.



3. Where do you do your work? Do you have a dedicated area of your home, or?

I have a studio space at home where I do all of my jewelry design, and
sewing. However my work tends to overflow into all spaces of our house,
especially since I like to work while hanging out in the evenings with my
hubby and our pups. For my floral design I have a separate studio space.



4. Tell us about a goal you have for your business

I'd like to continue growing my business and get my jewelry into many more
retail locations. In this coming year I plan on applying for lots of new
art and craft shows so that I can reach a new audience, and hopefully meet
some new friends in the crafting world.



5. What is your favorite album?

Wow, that's a tough question. Music is so important, it really helps me
get into a flow While I work in the studio. I have so many favorites it's
hard to name just one, but if I had to pick right now I'm currently loving
Florence and the Machine while I'm creating. She has such an amazing
voice, and I love her sense of style.



6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

My goal is to open a brick and mortar store. I'd love for this to be a
collaboration, or collective type of shop, and a fun studio space where I
can do floral consultations and continue to create my jewelry designs.



7. What is your favorite thing to do on a weekend?

Since I do wedding flowers, a lot of the time on the weekend I'm working.
Although I started out creating jewelry I love flowers just as much.
There's something so magical about taking part in someone's big day. When
I'm not working on the weekends I like to hang out with my hubby, relaxing
and catching up on DVR shows, or going out with friends to some of our
favorite local spots.



8. Tell us about a new skill you'd like to learn

Although I sew a little bit, it's usually simple things like pillows or
curtains (straight simple lines). What I'd really love to learn is how to
sew clothes, and do pattern making. I consider fashion to be such an
amazing art form, and would love to do some clothing design some day.

Look what you can win!!!


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Closes Dec 20th