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Five Star Reviews
January/February 2006
| Press |
Q & A Interview - Fashion
Carol Frenda, Jewelry Artist and Designer
Vintage Appeal in Modern Design
by Susan Franke
Jewelry artist and designer Carol Frenda, owner of Frenda Mine Design in Palatine, IL, loves
everything about jewelry, and that passion becomes apparent in her creations. Her designs
reflect a “vintage appeal” that remain both classically traditional and transcend today’s
trendy styles that often go in and out of favor. Each work of her bead artistry possesses a
quality that will withstand the test of time. Her modern spin on a classic vintage look sets her
apart from other bead artists around the country, as does her eye for intricate detail, unusual
color schemes, and varying use of symmetry.
Carol’s interest in jewelry making began early on when she realized she could combine her
love for color with her desire to express her personality and creativity. Frenda Mine Design
originated when Carol’s hobby of creating and designing jewelry for herself evolved into a
full time business when friends and colleagues began placing orders for her vast array of
beaded designs. Her intricate, and uniquely vintage-inspired designs became so popular
with Chicago’s business professionals and fashionistas that she decided to replace her
job title of “Operations Manager” with “Jewelry Designer” and left her job so that she could
start her own business to keep up with the orders that kept rolling in. Carol’s designs have
been so classically original and exquisite that she has been known to sell necklaces,
pendants, and bracelets that she is currently wearing, on the spot and right off her neck, to
women at parties and social functions who admire her work so much that they must own a
Frenda Mine Design right away. Even her husband’s ex-wife recently placed an order for one
of her Charming Bracelets.
After viewing Carol’s designs in person, I had many questions for her about her art and the
inspirations behind each one-of-a-kind Frenda Mine Design.
What is it about jewelry that you love?
EVERTHING! I love how jewelry makes you feel “dressed” even in sweats. Jewelry is an
expression of your personality at any given moment. A simple pair of pearl earrings portrays
one side of your personality, while a funky pair portrays another.
Frenda Mine Design is such a fabulous name for your jewelry business. How did that
name come about?
When I began designing jewelry, my friends were my biggest supporters and fans (they still
are). So, naturally, I would make jewelry for them as gifts. When anyone would ask who a
particular piece was for, my response would be a “friend of mine,” which sounds a lot like
Frenda Mine. With a last name like Frenda, it seemed like the perfect name. The word
“mine” lends a bit of a double entendre with jewel mine.
What inspires you as you create your jewelry? What materials do you use in the
process? What process(es) do you use in creating your designs, and how did you learn
them?
Color and balance are my primary sources of inspiration. I have always had an eye for color
and symmetry. My greatest joy as a child was the 64-count box of Crayola crayons! Even in
the most complex beaded pieces there is a grand plan. Most of my designs are created with
beads, semi-precious stones and metals, wire, and silk and waxed linen cord for knotting.
My formal training is fairly limited, but I attribute some basic technique skills that I learned to
classes taught by Paula, the owner of Bead Soup in Long Grove, Illinois.
Your varying use of symmetry and balance makes your jewelry stand out from other
jewelers who employ traditional methods in their designs. How would you describe your
unique approach to creating contemporary jewelry with vintage appeal?
Perhaps it is the Libra within my personality that commands beauty and balance in my
designs. My desire for perfection plays off my desire to create symmetrical and
asymmetrical designs that incorporate an underlying “method to my madness.” I layer
texture and color to take traditional beadwork to a higher level. My style continues to evolve
over time. I invest my heart and soul into each piece I design and
perhaps that, and the individual’s personal style, is what makes it distinctive.
Your jewelry designs are so intricate and detailed. One of my favorite designs is your
“Charming Bracelet” composed of intricately woven charms of different sizes designed
to create texture, depth and dimension that is unique to each piece. I love that each piece
is individual to the person who wears it. Can you tell me a little more about your
inspirations behind creating each “Charming Bracelet?”
I make a bracelet l like to call my “charming” bracelet, which is comprised of hundreds of
tiny beads and charms. That piece takes me about 8-10 hours to complete. Again, I use
many sizes of charms to create texture, and a little sparkle, and as people see the bracelet,
they realize upon closer inspection that there is more to this piece than first meets the eye. I
love that element of surprise.
Carol Frenda, Jewelry Artist and Designer
Vintage Appeal in Modern Design
by Susan Franke
Jewelry artist and designer Carol Frenda, owner of Frenda Mine Design in Palatine, IL, loves
everything about jewelry, and that passion becomes apparent in her creations. Her designs
reflect a “vintage appeal” that remain both classically traditional and transcend today’s
trendy styles that often go in and out of favor. Each work of her bead artistry possesses a
quality that will withstand the test of time. Her modern spin on a classic vintage look sets her
apart from other bead artists around the country, as does her eye for intricate detail, unusual
color schemes, and varying use of symmetry.
Carol’s interest in jewelry making began early on when she realized she could combine her
love for color with her desire to express her personality and creativity. Frenda Mine Design
originated when Carol’s hobby of creating and designing jewelry for herself evolved into a
full time business when friends and colleagues began placing orders for her vast array of
beaded designs. Her intricate, and uniquely vintage-inspired designs became so popular
with Chicago’s business professionals and fashionistas that she decided to replace her
job title of “Operations Manager” with “Jewelry Designer” and left her job so that she could
start her own business to keep up with the orders that kept rolling in. Carol’s designs have
been so classically original and exquisite that she has been known to sell necklaces,
pendants, and bracelets that she is currently wearing, on the spot and right off her neck, to
women at parties and social functions who admire her work so much that they must own a
Frenda Mine Design right away. Even her husband’s ex-wife recently placed an order for one
of her Charming Bracelets.
After viewing Carol’s designs in person, I had many questions for her about her art and the
inspirations behind each one-of-a-kind Frenda Mine Design.
What is it about jewelry that you love?
EVERTHING! I love how jewelry makes you feel “dressed” even in sweats. Jewelry is an
expression of your personality at any given moment. A simple pair of pearl earrings portrays
one side of your personality, while a funky pair portrays another.
Frenda Mine Design is such a fabulous name for your jewelry business. How did that
name come about?
When I began designing jewelry, my friends were my biggest supporters and fans (they still
are). So, naturally, I would make jewelry for them as gifts. When anyone would ask who a
particular piece was for, my response would be a “friend of mine,” which sounds a lot like
Frenda Mine. With a last name like Frenda, it seemed like the perfect name. The word
“mine” lends a bit of a double entendre with jewel mine.
What inspires you as you create your jewelry? What materials do you use in the
process? What process(es) do you use in creating your designs, and how did you learn
them?
Color and balance are my primary sources of inspiration. I have always had an eye for color
and symmetry. My greatest joy as a child was the 64-count box of Crayola crayons! Even in
the most complex beaded pieces there is a grand plan. Most of my designs are created with
beads, semi-precious stones and metals, wire, and silk and waxed linen cord for knotting.
My formal training is fairly limited, but I attribute some basic technique skills that I learned to
classes taught by Paula, the owner of Bead Soup in Long Grove, Illinois.
Your varying use of symmetry and balance makes your jewelry stand out from other
jewelers who employ traditional methods in their designs. How would you describe your
unique approach to creating contemporary jewelry with vintage appeal?
Perhaps it is the Libra within my personality that commands beauty and balance in my
designs. My desire for perfection plays off my desire to create symmetrical and
asymmetrical designs that incorporate an underlying “method to my madness.” I layer
texture and color to take traditional beadwork to a higher level. My style continues to evolve
over time. I invest my heart and soul into each piece I design and
perhaps that, and the individual’s personal style, is what makes it distinctive.
Your jewelry designs are so intricate and detailed. One of my favorite designs is your
“Charming Bracelet” composed of intricately woven charms of different sizes designed
to create texture, depth and dimension that is unique to each piece. I love that each piece
is individual to the person who wears it. Can you tell me a little more about your
inspirations behind creating each “Charming Bracelet?”
I make a bracelet l like to call my “charming” bracelet, which is comprised of hundreds of
tiny beads and charms. That piece takes me about 8-10 hours to complete. Again, I use
many sizes of charms to create texture, and a little sparkle, and as people see the bracelet,
they realize upon closer inspection that there is more to this piece than first meets the eye. I
love that element of surprise.
Tell me a little bit about your professional
background. What careers did you pursue
before you learned the art of jewelry
making? Why did you decide to start your
own jewelry design business? Has it been
hard to get starte
background. What careers did you pursue
before you learned the art of jewelry
making? Why did you decide to start your
own jewelry design business? Has it been
hard to get starte
Most recently, I held operations manager positions with a civic organization and a
commercial real estate company. A great deal of my time in those positions was spent on
event planning and accounting. Designing programs and materials was how I was able to
express my creativity. A couple of years ago, my friend and I started a singles dating group.
We had a great concept for singles over 40 but single men seeking single women of their
similar age were a scarcity. Unfortunately, we closed the business but I was able to make
one successful match.
As I said earlier, I began making jewelry as gifts for my friends. I loved every moment I spent
creating jewelry (and, of course, still do). I read two quotes that sum it up best for me. (1)
“Evolve a sense of what you were put on this earth to do and all your other decisions will fall
in place.” (2) “Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way
down.”
Thanks to a great support network of family and friends, it has not been hard to get started. I
am a very organized person and organization is key. It’s one thing to have an artistic flair but
if you can’t run the business end, you might as well design as a hobby.
Please give Five Star Readers some information as to how they can place a custom
order with you.
Custom orders are my primary source of business at the moment. To place an order, or for
general information, readers can email me at carol@frendaminedesign.com. I can send
potential clients a link to photos of many of my designs. My web site (http://www.
frendaminedesign.com/) is a work in progress but will have an ordering mechanism and an
updated design gallery soon.
commercial real estate company. A great deal of my time in those positions was spent on
event planning and accounting. Designing programs and materials was how I was able to
express my creativity. A couple of years ago, my friend and I started a singles dating group.
We had a great concept for singles over 40 but single men seeking single women of their
similar age were a scarcity. Unfortunately, we closed the business but I was able to make
one successful match.
As I said earlier, I began making jewelry as gifts for my friends. I loved every moment I spent
creating jewelry (and, of course, still do). I read two quotes that sum it up best for me. (1)
“Evolve a sense of what you were put on this earth to do and all your other decisions will fall
in place.” (2) “Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way
down.”
Thanks to a great support network of family and friends, it has not been hard to get started. I
am a very organized person and organization is key. It’s one thing to have an artistic flair but
if you can’t run the business end, you might as well design as a hobby.
Please give Five Star Readers some information as to how they can place a custom
order with you.
Custom orders are my primary source of business at the moment. To place an order, or for
general information, readers can email me at carol@frendaminedesign.com. I can send
potential clients a link to photos of many of my designs. My web site (http://www.
frendaminedesign.com/) is a work in progress but will have an ordering mechanism and an
updated design gallery soon.