Kerri O’Connor of Les Trois Fleurs is a jewelry designer who lives in Chesterland, Ohio. She also runs the lovely Les Trois Fleurs bookstore and gift shop in Richmond Heights.
What is your first memory of making jewelry?
A long time ago I used to frequent the Berea gem show. There was an artist there who sold gemstones and would wire wrap them for you into a pendant or a ring. I was in awe of his skill and the beauty of the stones. I wondered if I could ever learn to be as gifted as he was with stones.
A few years ago, I was traveling with friends to Galax, Virginia, for a fiddlers convention. We stopped at one of those roadside nursery, gift shop, hardware, you-name-it-we-have-it-stores. I found some ocean jasper stones in all sorts of shapes. They were so beautiful to me that I couldn’t leave them on the shelf. I was sure I could create something wonderful from them (I used to make macramé jewelry). A few months later I was back in Virgina, around the DC area, and found a magical bead shop. About $200 later, armed with beads, wire, and tools, I put those wonderful jaspers together and just kept on creating with all my other finds. (Now I know why they call them findings!)
What is it that draws you to jewelry design?
Textures, colors, carved stones, or stones with pictures in them… the stones start to tell me a story… it is as if they are telling me what to create with them… and I am moved by the effort and artistry it took to create a stone or a finding. Soon my work area is full of awesome pieces to work with (or to wear). Some of my friends say, “Why aren’t you wearing one of your own creations?” And I do wear them sometimes. To me being creative comes out of higher principles of energy such as love and appreciation… both of your creations and of works by other artists. I experience creativity as being open and receptive to ideas, thoughts, and inspirations and to my artistic community.
How would you describe the style of your work, your inspirations, and how they are expressed in your work? Does it reflect your personal style?
I have had the privilege of having wonderful teachers, both traditional and spiritual, throughout my life who have inspired me, lifted me, and shown me through example how to inspire others. My goal is that each of my designs will inspire its wearer as I have been inspired. My jewelry design style is more about the energy of a piece — again, the story it tells. I have been an energy worker for more than 25 years now, a certified clearance technologist, and more recently certified as a Reiki master. So when I create a piece, I am directing a quality of consciousness, such as harmony, into the creative process and materials in addition to ensuring quality and aesthetic appeal. This requires concentration to not allow other thoughts or distractions to interrupt my intent. I also include a blessing with each design sold that is reflective of the energy I directed into the creative process. I find it hard to adopt “a” style. I am eager to try new techniques… I feel compelled to keep learning and stretching both artistically and spiritually.
Do you have an all-time favorite creation? What about it makes it your favorite?
Not an all-time, but one of my favorites is my Etsy avatar – a combination of copper plated maple leaf, wire lace, Czech glass flowers, and seed beads. I am very partial to fall colors, and it was fun to create the flowers with the stamens, etc. Also the Victorian filigree earring drops — very romantic — and hammered metal charms.
When did you realize that this was more than a hobby?
One of my lifetime dreams was to have my own boutique. I’ve had other creative businesses, but none with a storefront. A few years ago I was approached about running a bookstore for our metaphysical center, where I could also sell my jewelry designs. That and becoming part of the Etsy community was the start of more-than-a-hobby adventure.
Describe your workspace.
With a store, a full-time job, and an Etsy shop I am on the move a lot. So I have a mobile workspace. The store in Richmond Heights is designed to be meditative, reflective, and peaceful. I hope visitors who come to the store walk away happy with their purchase but also feeling healed, happier, energized, and so on. There is a wonderful table there that I usually work at and an incredible view of the “laughing creek” and its waterfall out the back. My home workspace is split between an upstairs worktable with a view of my garden and the torching/flex shaft workplace in the basement. My kitty is usually somewhere nearby looking for loose beads and wire scraps.
What is your favorite task related to your work?
Right now (and I do go through phases) hammering and torching. Watching metals change under fire and pressure is so fascinating to me.
Your least favorite?
My least favorite is the accounting/administrative work. I prefer to be creating. I have to remind myself that keeping good records and staying organized helps me keep the energy clear and clean for the creative process.
What is your favorite tool? Why?
I recently purchased gem setting pliers. I’ve started collecting gemstones and just set a first stone into a ring. Second to this would be textured hammers. It is so much fun to add textures to metals.
Do you have artistic talents in other areas?
Yes, I also make porcelain dolls and ceramics, sew, and garden. I used to have a business making slipcovers, too. I have put aside the doll making because the first fire is an 8–12 hour process, and I am seldom home long enough to fire up the kiln. Someday I will get back to it (I miss creating and costuming the little ones!).
Tell us something about you that we might be surprised to hear.
I play the fiddle and bowed psaltry. When I first started music lessons, I jumped in with my typical enthusiasm and was taking guitar, hammered dulcimer, and banjo lessons in addition to the fiddle. It was a little overwhelming!
Where can we find your work?
My Etsy shop is Les Trois Fleurs.
The Les Trois Fleurs Artistic Muse blog can be found at lestroisfleurs.wordpress.com.
The Les Trois Fleurs bookstore/gift shop is located at 250 Richmond Road, Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143. Hours and other information can be found on the shop’s Facebook page.
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