Tarah Perini of Tarah Prater Designs, Our Featured Designer for December What inspired you to start designing? I have always been one to make things ever since I was a little girl. I got in trouble for selling friendship bracelets on the playground once. I was told “School is not a place for you to make money off your classmates”. I didn’t understand why…they wanted the bracelets and I could deliver. Seemed like a win-win to me. I would take orders, collect their five dollars, go home and make the bracelets and then deliver them the next day on the playground. I was really sad when they shut me down.

What's your background and have you always been creative?  Are there other artistic endeavors you're involved in?
My mom is creative so we would do projects at home and I took a lot of art classes. I didn’t really get into jewelry until college because it was the part of art minor I picked.

Your line shows a clear love for bold, colorful designs yet with a feminine and funky flair. How do you come up with your designs?
I don’t really sit down and plan things out. I tend to just buy what I like and ideas come to me as I start putting things together. I clip pictures out of magazines all the time and glue them into a scrapbook so I have a collection of ideas. Sometimes I will see something that inspires me and I’ll do some drawings in my sketchbook.

How did you get into working with jewelry? What other types of mediums have you worked in?
College is where it officially started. I’ve dabbled in several different mediums. I used to paint and draw and have tried making purses but realized I don’t sew so well. I wanted to be a clothing designer but that never panned out because it conflicted with many of my major classes in college. Decoupage, scrap booking … I get inspired a lot but then find something else more inspiring. I guess I’m a little ADD in that area.

Do you work out of your home or do you have a studio? What type of equipment do you use for the whole process?
I converted my garage into my studio, where I have a small metalworking setup to do small jobs like my dog silhouettes.  In my studio, I use a torch with an oxygen/propane mixture, flux, sterling silver, a saw, punches, etc.  I also go to my mentor’s studio (Marlo M.) and do bigger metalwork projects. When I make beaded jewelry I usually sit in my basement and watch movies while making pieces.

What has been the most difficult thing so far about starting your own line?
Putting myself out there and having to “sell myself”.

Whose work do you admire?
I admire all artists. It’s a lot of work to create and always find the inspiration to come up with new ideas.

Where do you find your inspiration?
From the pages of my favorite magazines, from friends, things I see when I’m out and about and from travels.

What advice would you offer new designers entering the market?
Stick with it because it does get easier. It’s not always easy selling yourself, but you just have to find your niche. We have a lot of great boutiques in Seattle. I started Urban Fashion Network just for this purpose, to help designers, like myself, find shops and events to sell their products out of. Just take the time to look around and you’ll find where your product works. For example, if you sell gothic jewelry you would know a church bizarre may not be the best venue for you, but I Heart Rummage would probably be a perfect place to start.

What is your vision for your business and where would you like to be in five years?
My vision is a little skewed right now since I have my jewelry and the Urban Fashion Network. I’ve really been focused on UFN and have just recently been getting back into jewelry. I would like to be doing both full-time someday. I have a great day job that allows me to have these side projects.

Any other area of fashion you'd like to delve into?
Clothing – I wish I could make my own clothes. Oh the money that would save me!

What current trend would you like to see go away?
High-waisted jeans - I just don’t get them.   Socks with sandals isn’t a trend but I sure wish people would stop doing it!

If you could have one item, new or vintage, what would it be?
I really want to own a Cartier (or a Rolex) watch someday, with diamonds of course!

What was your favorite fashion related item growing up?
My jelly shoes!! I had them in so many colors.

You can find Tarah Prater Designs at the following locations: TarahPraterDesigns.com

Archive of Past Featured Designers:
Miyuki Ott - August 2007
Seed Clothing - September 2007
Moxie & Oliver - October 2007
MishMash - November 2007
Tarah Prater Designs - December 2007