by West Coast Style Editor, Reah Norman

Ann Marie Hodrick is the designer behind Heart's Desire Jewelry.  She lives in Oakland, CA where her true love for design and adornment brought her to create Heart's Desire Jewelry.
 
[Reah] Tell us about Hearts Desire Jewelry and how it came to be.
 
[Hearts Desire] I've had a creative soul all of my life.  I started out when I was very young with just about any sort of art and craft I could get my hands on, including sewing outfits for my Barbie dolls.  As I grew up, that passion evolved into oil painting and printmaking.  Eventually my love of body adornment and fashion caught up with the artist in me and I became a jewelry artist.
 


[Reah] There is so much jewelry on the market, what is unique about Hearts Desire Jewelry and how do you separates yourself from your competitors?
 
[Hearts Desire] Most of my work is one of a kind and can't be duplicated.  The reason is that I'm a collector.  I'm always on the lookout for unique gems, pearls and vintage pieces.  If something grabs my attention, I bring it into my collection.  I may not know how I will use it right away, but eventually my muse and I collaborate on it.  Another unique thing about my jewelry is that I "feel" the design as I am creating it.  To be honest, those days where my nerves are raw and I am feeling very emotional are my best designing days because I am easily in touch with that part of me where my creativity lives.  Every piece is an art piece with a bit of me wrapped up in it.  You can't get that anywhere else!
 
[Reah] I love the fact that you have plus size options to offer your customers.  What makes your plus size line different from your main jewelry line, and why did you think it was important to create?
 
[Hearts Desire] The main difference is the size of the pieces, both in length and substance.  Being a plus size designer, I can try the pieces on me to make sure they lay correctly and are comfortable to wear.  Before I started making jewelry, the jewelry that I could find to fit me, didn't suit my style.  This was before statement necklaces were in vogue.  I wanted big colorful accessories that were stylish and unique.   I also wanted jewelry made of finer metals and gems but couldn't find anything suitable. When I first started making jewelry and approached the plus size boutiques in my area, they were thrilled with my work and it sold very well.  I knew I was onto something then.