Artist Preview Wednesday . Alisha Louise Design

Tell me a little bit about you, where you live, where you're from?

My name is Alisha Alderman and I'm originally from Alaska. I moved to "the lower 48" for college after high school (and kept moving for many years!) finally arriving in Portland two years ago. 

What inspires your work?
Like many artists and craftspeople, nature is a constant theme and source of inspiration for my line. I've been fortunate to fit a fair amount of travel in past 10 years and learned a lot from visiting jewelers in Iceland, Italy and Mexico. It's really refreshing to step out of your own design and production bubble and be exposed to new ideas. I also love older textiles and tile work from France, Turkey and India. The vibrant colors and distinctive patterns are also great for greasing the design wheels.   

What is your favorite item that you make?
I really love the Art Nouveau/Art Deco lines. They were challenging to design, but I get such a positive response from customers and feel like I'm putting something truly unique out in the marketplace.  

What are the best and the worst things about owning your own business?
Best: the schedule!, constantly learning new things about design and business, the freedom to take things wherever you'd like, meeting other designers, the sense of accomplishment at the end of a big project or launching of a new line.
Worst: bookkeeping (ugh, truly my least favorite task), the responsibility, no paid vacations or sick time!

What do you like to do when you are not working on jewelry?
I love to hike around the Northwest with my husband and our Frenchie, finding new and delicious recipes, riding my bike, general household purging and redecorating, reading every night, happy hours in Portland, a good quality dance party! 

What do you think is the most unique thing about Portland?

website// www.alishalouise.com

blog// www.alishalouise.com/wordpress

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interview by misha ashton

photos courtesy of artist website