Meet the Seller: Lena from Bangelibang Design

Today’s ‘Meet the Seller’ is a lovely and insightful peak into the life of contemporary jewellery designer and Craftaganzanew-comer, Lena.

Please introduce yourself….

My name is Lena Goodison and I am a Swedish self-taught Jewellery maker  that likes to create all things Weird & Wonderful! My background is Retail Management (Fashion & Design) but I have also dabbled in photography, writing and have had my own interior design shop in Stockholm, Sweden.

Describe the products you currently make to sell

The main star in my Jewellery Collections must be my Glass Pendants. They are recycled Czech glass.  I then use decoupage medium to attach my artwork on the back of the pendant and finish it all off  with lacquer. This technique has been around since the 18th century and is a very strong medium indeed! I make long necklaces with them, using thin trace chains (as I found that it really works together).  I am also a collector of unusual beads and trinkets and like to use them to make unique, one-off pieces.

Where and when do you design and make your products?

I used to work a 40 hour week as a Store Manager….and was working with my Jewellery in the evenings…and days off (yes, on my kitchen table).  It feIt like I  was working around the clock. But because I love to create so much, it didn’t feel like “hard” work.  Now, when I have left my fulltime job,  I have more time to concentrate on my Jewellery….and that really shows I think, in the new images I have come up with! Now my “job” is the Jewellery.

How long have you been selling your wares and how did it begin?

I started to make Jewellery three years ago…..due to the fact I was buying so many vintage necklaces….. I started to cut them up at home and re-assemble them….trying to create something different and unique for myself. My husband then said one day that the beads where taking over our kitchen and that I had to try to sell them somewhere!
I started to sell on Upper Gardiner Street market in Brighton every Saturday, attended Open Houses and found a few shops that wanted to sell my Jewellery. Now I even have a web shop and have sold in Selfridges in London! You can also follow me on Facebook.

What drew you to the Brighton area, if you are not a ‘native’?

Brighton is a fantastic city to live and create in! All the different people make this place. You can really be yourself. It is also so close to London, which makes it perfect!

Any other crafty disciplines you like to practice?

 I take the camera with me a lot….as it is my other creative passion. I don’t have so much time any longer though….as the Jewellery making has taken over. But it still really inspires me!

What inspires the things you make?

The inspiration for my Jewellery making comes from a variety of places. Travelling, looking at people, reading books, dance, music,  seeing a great exhibition…..ART in general is the inspiration. Not to forget….a great conversation with a friend!

Personal motto?

Follow your instinct and Just do it!