Lisa McDonald

First off, I think your designs are beautiful. How did you come to the world of jewellery design?

Bought some beads at a store closing sale years ago brought them to Canada.  My husband at the time was a TV nut.  I brought out the box of beads to play with something while he watched hours of TV. I was wanting to be busy. I have always done some kind of art. And hold a MA in visual arts along with one in Humanities.  I am a major over achiever and always been a big leader.

At what point did you decide to start your own company?

When I started painting and people started buying my paintings.  I made the jewellery to look like my paintings so they bought those too.  I realized it was easier for a women to buy a bracelet since it did not have to match her couch.  I refocused on Jewellery!   If I had a choice I would paint only!  I love painting!  I paint happy art that still looks like my jewels.

Where do you get your inspiration for all the Sugar Beads designs?

Out of my head!  I have a hyper creative imagination my dreams are rich in ideas, shapes and even colours that have never been seen before.  I can flip though pages of magazines in my dreams that are full of pages of items that have never existed.  I LOVE dreaming!  Wish you all could watch.  It is amazing.

What made you decide to move to Canada?

Married a Canadian from the internet….marriage did not last long.  Guess I should have known him for more than one week…

How does being an artist/jewellery designer in Canada differ from being one in the US?

Smaller market but easier to be a big fish in a smaller pond!

I’d like to know more about the road from the US to the top of the CN Tower. How did this all come about?

Hard work, putting it all on the line and being generous – my three guiding principles.  A friend borrowed a piece of jewelery and she was hanging out with the director of the tower…every where they went, even McDonald’s, someone would comment on the bracelet.  It was meant to be!  I LOVE WORKING FOR THE TOWER!  I wish I could sleep there and ask often!  I give a lot of time making sure I am there. At the end of the day I am tired from working but I hate to leave.  I love seeing the elevator open and thinking about the people who are getting off and where they are from.  I talk to everyone that will even barely smile at me.  I know 14 different languages…only hello in each…but I try to be a good Ambassador from Canada.

As I understand, Sugar Beads’ main focus was Bridal Jewellery & Accessories. Now your path has taken you to retail store selling as well as “Sugaring” fossils for museums. Were you surprized by all of these unique opportunities, or did you activily pursue other avenues for your work?

I invented them!  I did not start out with brides but I love working with the plus they are a big market…with multiple people to work for.  It is like a four for one! It is fun and I love using my pearl collection.

Reinventing myself every month is not hard…there are tons of items out there to work with.  You should see my next new line…wowo!  I do love EBay for being a 24 hour market to buy whatever I am thinking about.

Where can we see your designs displayed & more importantly what celebrities are wearing them?

The Bay on Queen Street in TO starting next week.  Northern Reflections all of their stores now and more and more with time as I am their new and only jeweller.  Michelle Obama and her two girls, Nickelback, tons of celebs like American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, I just visited tons of museums in Scotland and England and they are interested, Courtney Love, The ROM, tons of stores in Canada and 80 Hallmark stores in the US….and then there is the Home Shopping Channel on March the 12^th! ++ Get your credit cards ready!

peaceandsugar