(gentle music) - Hi everyone, I'm Kylie Ambu, and we're here at Art on the Mall in Kalamazoo where they have everything from macrame to music to jewelry, you name it, these talented artists have brought it.
and we're talking with a few of them about what makes their craft so unique, let's go.
(gentle music) I'm here with Veronica with Rockstar Earrings, and these are some rockstar earrings right here.
Can you talk with me a bit about your craft?
- Yes, absolutely.
So I started my business in 2020 during quarantine, and I started my business to help me through college.
I was about to transfer over to Grand Valley.
And so I started off doing basic jewelry here and there, and then I found a passion for beading.
So I do a lot of work with bead embroidery, brick stitch, and polymer clay.
Wonderful, and that's quite the hobby to pick up while you're in school.
And we do love that you're a GVSU grad, go Lakers.
- Go Lakers.
- So you really haven't been in the industry that long.
How does it feel to be out with all these artists today?
- It feels amazing.
There are some people who have been at this for decades, and then there are people like me who have only been doing this for a couple years.
So it's a great variety of artists and different experiences here.
- Absolutely, talking with some of the artists, it's been great to find out how they express themself through their medium.
What do you hope people take away from your booth?
I hope people see my jewelry and are able to see themselves wearing it and able to feel confident while wearing my jewelry.
I named my business Rockstar Earrings because I want every wearer of my jewelry to have the confidence of a rockstar and to feel beautiful.
- Well, I love the setup of your booth.
It's very colorful, and we've got the pride flags out.
I know you're an LGBTQ artist, so can you talk with me about how you really express yourself and really any advice you would give to people who see you as representation in the arts?
- Yeah, I love expressing myself through different styles of my artwork, and I would just tell people to not be afraid to express who you are, to always have the confidence of a rockstar, and just be proud.
- Perfect, you heard it first.
Be a rockstar here at Rockstar Earrings.
Thanks so much, Veronica.
- Thank you.
- [Narrator] Support for Kalamazoo Lively Arts is provided by the Irving S Gilmore Foundation, helping to build and enrich the cultural life of greater Kalamazoo.