Jewelry Designer Denise Go, PeeTeeDee Concepts Believes in Following Your Heart
Denise's grandmother once told her, "God has given us hands, make handmade." That piece of advice gave Denise the impetus to create her line of jewelry.
-PJ Gach, BettyConfidential.com
Malaysian-based jewelry designer Denise Go delicately by hand creates each of her jeweled treasures. Her line, called PeeTeeDee Concepts (available now at BettyConfidential Shop!), consists of pieces ranging from Boho inspired bracelets to lace-like earrings. They can easily accompany you from daytime events to dinner with the gals or a date.
Making each piece is very personal for Denise. As she says, "I feel that is satisfying to be able to put my thoughts into actions. Basically, [creating jewelry] is my passion and I think it is important to just follow our heart's desire."
We e-chatted with Denise about how her grandmother inspired her, what her favorite pieces are, and what sets her creative energy on fire!
Snag this beautiful piece in BettyConfidential's exclusive flash sale!
BettyConfidential: What was the first item that you ever created? Do you still have it?
Denise Go: I fondly remember my grandmother teaching me how to braid a ring using grass when I was a kid. It didn't last very long. But I vividly remember keeping it for days before it turned yellow. As a matter of fact, it inspired me to create the Promise series, where the first piece was the simple braided ring; however, I have learnt to use materials that will last this time around!
BC: How did you learn your craft?
DG: Fortunately for me, I have a skillful grandmother. I learnt my craft from her. She was really skillful with hand crafting items and was easily inspired by things around her. She often tells me, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonades; since God has given us hands, make handmade."
BC: What's the best and the worst thing about creating jewelry?
DG: The best part is that I enjoy doing it! I guess everyone has their own special talent and passion and I feel that mine is creating jewelry. I often feel inspired by my surroundings to create personalized jewelry with stories. It is amazing to be able to translate my ideas into tangible objects. The worst part is integrating dreams with reality. Sometimes, I feel that I have got abundance of inspirations and stories to tell but it's not always easy to express it through my designs.
BC: When you come up with an idea for a bracelet or another piece of jewelry, do you start with a sketch, or do you immediately start working with materials?
DG: My inspiration and ideas usually come through images in my mind. Immediately I'll start working with my materials to craft my initial design. Often, I would then sketch and refine it.
BC: Do you have a favorite piece that you created?
DG: It definitely would be my Promise Crystal Solitaire (pictured above), my first and most cherished design.
BC: How do you know when you're finished working on a design?
DG: When I start wearing it everyday!
BC: Do you ever dream about jewelry? If so, do you have a dream you'd like to share?
DG: Not any that I can recall. Though many times it (inspiration) hits me while I daydream
BC: What inspires you? What gives you creative energy?
DG: I would say that my travels around the world give me the drive to do what I do. From the people I meet, to the culture and the architecture. All these inspire me to create new designs constantly.
BC: If someone wanted to become a jewelry designer, what one piece of advice would you give them?
DG: Know that the path is not going to be a bed of roses, much persistence and determination is needed but the path will be worth it. Don't give up!
Aanya Limited Collections hand-braided bracelet with handmade Red Maruti beads from India.
BC: Do you have a favorite stone that you like to work with?
DG: I like to work with unconventional materials such as the Maruti Beads in our Aanya series. It is 100 percent handcrafted. The beads are usually not identical but to me, that gives life to the jewelry. Imperfection is life. The non-identical Maruti beads are materials with "perfect flaws" to me.
BC: How would you describe your jewelry?
DG: Uniquely elegant handmade jewelry with quality craftsmanship in every piece. You won't find any designs like it elsewhere.
BC: Do any of the pieces you've created have a story--were they inspired by friends or family?
DG: The one I keep closest to my heart would be the Promise Series. It started my career as a designer and I have my grandmother to thank for teaching me to follow my dreams.
BC: Is there any celebrity in the entire world who you'd love to wear your things?
DG: I'd love to see Jessica Alba wear some of my designs.
Snap up Denise's gorgeous designs for yourself in BettyConfidential's exclusive flash sale now!
PJ Gach is Senior Editor: Style + Beauty at BettyConfidential.
Read More at BettyConfidential.com
The Jersey Shore's Sammi "Sweetheart's" a Jewelry Designer!
Kim Kardashian's Now A Jewelry Designer