Interview and GIVEAWAY!!!

I am so happy to share this artist with you, not only is the lovely Jody an amazingly talented lady but she is also beautiful, intelligent and incredibly nice to boot!
I am proud to call her a friend and so grateful to Jody that she also agreed to have me host a giveaway of one of her pieces of wearable art to one lucky person!!

Do read all of the interview, Jody is a fascinating woman and please do enter the giveaway!!!:)


Jody at work


Jody often uses herself for expression in her photos.


1. Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and how you got into creating your amazing jewellery and art!
I live in Dallas, Texas with my husband/love of my life Tony, and our two sweet tuxedo kitties Jack and Lenore. I have a background in the Photographic Printing industry, but left it to go back to school full-time in 2008. It's easily one of the best decisions I've ever made.
I've been an artist as long as I can remember. I've drawn on anything I could get my hands on since I was 2 years old. My dad was a huge influence on me. My handwriting is now impeccable because of him making me to hold a pen a certain way, even to do my homework! I owe my love of drawing girls to my father as well. He used to doodle these gorgeous, exotic girls with huge flowers in their flowing hair on random envelopes while on the phone. Sound familiar? The years that followed, I filled many sketchpads while in dark coffee shops downtown, but didn't really get serious about my work. Despite the positive feedback, I was always too timid to really show my art to anyone but friends. Over the years, my confidence grew, thanks to my family, husband and very supportive friends. I officially began selling my art prints on Etsy in Spring of 2009. Shortly thereafter, I decided I wanted to make my art into a wearable form. I experimented with glass and instantly fell in love with the process. I love the idea of people walking around with my artwork integrated into their personal styles. This journey has been absolutely amazing.




2. What/who inspires you and why?
So many things! Science, underwater creatures, royalty, mythology, siamese twins, botany, amputees, space, medicine, anatomy, contortionists, Asian culture...so many things! I think I have this diverse taste from hours spent watching PBS and reading the encyclopedia as a young girl. I tend to be most struck by the beauty of everyday things. Surrounding myself with creative people is also essential. I'm lucky enough to have several in my life


3. If you could take a 2 week vacation anywhere this summer, where would you go and why?
I would go to the Fiji Islands, rent one of those beautiful huts over the water, and lounge around with an exotic cocktail and a sketchpad. It would also be the perfect place for my husband and I to renew our vows.



4. How would you describe your wonderful style?

This question is always so difficult for me to answer. I like to think it's this precise mix of beauty, brains and intrigue-very often in the shape of a beautiful girl.

5. Do you have a website/blog???
I do! I keep an art/inspiration blog at: http://www.thelandbetweensolarsystems.com/ My Facebook fan page
http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/Jody-Pham/100336925529?ref=nf

My etsy shop http://www.jodypham.etsy.com/ .

6. How did you come up with your design name?After losing my old domain (my name), I took it as an opportunity to reinvent my business. Plus, I've always wanted to go by a moniker of some kind, but nothing ever stuck. Two years ago while seeing one of my favorite musicians 'Múm' live, they performed their song 'The Land Between Solar Systems' and suddenly it clicked. It's a very prganicl, minimalistic, mostly instrumental piece. I imagine it as this beautiful place between galaxies where the girls I draw come to life.

7. When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
I originally wanted to be a Clinical Psychologist. To this day, I'm still torn between the left and right sides of my brain. ;)

8. What is your biggest dream right now?
To have my college degree. (I'm almost there!) I would also love to have my art featured in a Gallery or Art Show before 2010 is over. In the past I've had a bit of stage fright at the prospect, but now I am completely ready to share my art locally.9. What makes you laugh??
My BFF Prentiss! She's beautiful, witty and brilliant. Everything that comes out of her mouth should be published.
10. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
Definitely a cuttlefish. I would be able to spend my days in the Mediterranean sea, alter my skin color at will, possess blue-green blood and have three hearts!
11. How would you decorate a cupcake to represent your personality?
It would consist of pineapple upside down cake, vanilla buttercream frosting and a kiwi wedge on top.
12. What is the book on your nightstand right now?
The Stranger by Albert Camus.13. Any pearls of wisdom that you would like to pass on to us??
Anything Oscar Wilde has said. hehe.



GIVEAWAY TIME!!!


Jody is giving you all a chance to get your mitts on this stunning necklace! What you HAVE to do!!Visit Jody's etsy shop (Link is shown above in the interview) and come back here and tell me with a comment what you fave item in her shop is!

Get extra entries by;

1 extra entry for following my blog and comment that you are following me, if you follow me already, please still comment that you do!

1 extra entry if you follow Jody's blog (the link is shown above in the interview)

1 extra entry for each tweet about this giveaway with this link and my name @lovelylildeer so that I can see the tweets.

1 extra entry if you blog about this in your own blog, lj etc and provide me with a link so I can see it.

You can get 10 extra entries just buy buying something from Jody's shop! Please provide proof in a comment.

This giveaway will open now with comments and I will pick a winner on Tuesday January 24th which is Jody's birthday btw!!!

Good luck everyone xoxo