Darling Designer Profile: Betsy Carr Jewelry Designer for Foundling

Betsy Carr is the artist behind Foundling–an accessories line inspired by and created from vintage textiles, papers and ephemera. She spent a lot of time playing in attics and that is probably where all this got started. She lives in a funky little city in the mountains with a husband, a cat and two dogs. She’s inspired by old and forgotten things; anything that has faded or tarnished; things that smell faintly of mildew and dust. She loves re-purposing things that have outlived their original purpose.

SD: When and how did get into jewelry design?
BC: I started making jewelry while living in a small apartment with no room to do anything else. I could spread out on my kitchen table for the afternoon and pack everything up in a little box when I was done. My first pieces were tiny collages of vintage papers and images covered in resin and strung on beaded chains.

SD: What is your favorite item you have designed?
BC: At the moment the bud earrings are my favorite. I love the contrast of old brass and shiny new gold (it’s recycled gold, by the way).

SD: If that item could talk, what would it say?
BC: Only sweet and friendly things, I’m sure.

SD: What inspires your designs?
BC: An ethic of reuse and the hidden stories in all things old. My studio is filled with pretty old fabrics, photos, vintage illustrations and lots of timeworn metal. All those things somehow find their way into my work.

SD: Are you self taught designer if not, where did you study?
BC: I’ve taught myself some of the techniques I use to make my jewelry, but I have a studio art degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I was a 2D girl in school–I loved painting and collage.

SD: What fashion trends, if any, are influencing your jewelry?
BC: I don’t know! I really feel like the worst person in the world to ask about fashion trends (ok, maybe my dad would be worse). I notice trends colors–peach and coral seem to be popping up a lot right now.

SD: What does your average day entail?
BC: Coffee and a dog walk first thing, then a good part of the day in the studio. It’s hard to leave, but eventually I have to come back to the house and the computer to ship orders, return emails, list new work and so forth.

SD: What is the one item in your wardrobe you can’t live without?
BC: My motorcycle boots–they are just a little different from what most people in Asheville are wearing.

SD: How would you describe your personal style? And who or what influences that style?
BC: I like a contrast of sweet and tough–boots and skirts, blue jeans and girly tops, something shiny next to metal with a timeworn patina. Nothing too fussy and preferably old-fashioned. It’s kind of a country girl in the city thing.

SD: What is your fashion obsession of the moment?
BC: Smocking, embroidery, hand-stitching–anything that looks like it’s been loved.

SD: If there was one designer on Smashing Darling that you could ask a question to who would it be and what would you ask them?
BC: I love “hello, fabulous“. Her finds are, well, fabulous! I’d love to follow her around for a day and pepper her with questions.

We would love to hear from you. What other things would you like to know about Betsy? I am sure she would be more than happy to answer them for you. Just ask it or leave a comment!

If there is someone else you would like us to interview please feel free to email me trish(at)smashingdarling(dot)com I love your suggestions.

Tagged as: accessories, artist, designer, earrings, ephemera, interview, jewelry, mountains, nintage necklace, recycling, repurposing, tarnished