Designer Michelle Tamoush is based in San Diego, California and her line of necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings are sold on b-good.com and in west coast stores. I chatted with her by email.

I would say my main source of inspiration comes from the materials themselves. Coming across a certain stone can trigger and entire design for me. Sometimes those ideas don’t flesh out as well as you had imagined in your head, but that is how the process starts. From there, the original idea might evolve into something else which might be tweaked a bit further and so on. I do get inspiration from my environment and images around me as well. For example, I pass a certain office lobby in my neighborhood about once a day and they have a 3 hanging lamp shades of different sizes clustered in one corner and I think that my upcoming work will probably incorporate those shapes in some way. However, for the most part, I get immersed in my materials and I just start to play.

My core materials are sterling silver and 14K gold filled wire, chain and findings. Then I use semi-precious stones, pearls, wood and other types of beads to accent the wire and chain. At the beginning I chose them because they were familiar to me. I am naturally attracted to anything faceted that sparkles but have lately tried to incorporate some muted colors and smooth shapes. The jewelry is always evolving and while I’ve started off with fairly conventional materials, I do imagine that at some point I will branch out into other less typical materials. Right now I am focused on developing a recognizable style and I feel once that is set, I can have more freedom to step out of those bounds. Lately, I have been experimenting with more metal accents, charms and filigree pieces.

Actually, no, not usually. Unless it is a custom piece for a particular person or demographic. For the most part, I am always surprised at who is attracted to which design. The piece never turns out as well when I try too hard to gear it to who I think might wear it.

Yes. It has been my only source of income since August 2006. At first, I was just testing the waters but by the new year I had decided to get my business license and go for it.

Well, I am still in my first year of business so I probably should be taking the advice, rather than giving- but from my experience so far, I can say this- Once you start approaching stores and selling your crafts, you will have plenty of days you just want to give up and throw in the towel. But then for all of those incredibly low days, there will be other days where you will make a sale or pick up an account and feel like you are on top of the world. It’s an emotional roller coaster, so expect that and when you hit those lows just keep working through them cause a high is probably just around the corner.You can find out more about Michelle on moushart.com. Check out her unique designs on b-goodfashion.com. -Jill Woodward