Original creations by Debi Lynn Designs® adorn celebrities, accessorize fashion runways, and fill a wide variety of magazines. We love Debi Mattingly’s work, personality and insight, and we are very excited to share what she has to say about her inspiration, drool-worthy work space and more. Enjoy!

Where do you find your inspiration?
Everywhere I look…. but, mainly finding unusual beads and findings from around the world that have a history and a certain style & look that is a part of my “branding” and what I have become known for.  The “search” for the treasure and discovering it is my greatest inspiration.

I grew up on the beautiful bayous of Louisiana and as a Cajun and Muskogee Creek Native American, my cultures have had a HUGE impact on my designs…. and always will.

What is your work space like?
Wow…I have been blessed to have 2 studios!  One is where my staff works on the orders as they come in; and the other is my guest house off of our home.  Both of these studios are set up quite different.  The one where my staff creates is a place where everything is in “order”, where materials can easily be found and readily available for production.

My studio at home is more of my “design studio”; where I am able to work when the “creative juices” need to flow.  I have to have “space” where it is only me, my music and my treasures around me in order to create.  Everything in my “design studio” is there for “inspiration”….from beads, to art, to old antiques and other found treasures throughout my travels.

I have been a professional designer since 1979 and trust me it has not always been this way!  I remember for years designing on the bedroom floor and kitchen table….so, it really doesn’t matter where you design and create; just make it a place where you feel the most inspired and have treasures around you that make the creative process fun!

What does your team consist of?
1. I have a PR firm out of LA that takes care of all my press, celebrities & stylists
2. I have a marketing firm in New Mexico that take care of the marketing of the designs
3. I have a professional photographer and web designer that takes care of the photo shoots
4. And I have a great rep that take my designs to market all over the US

As you can see it takes a “full team” of professionals to truly make your business “work”!

Any tricks of the trade you care to share?
There really are no “tricks” to speak of.  The techniques that we all use as designers are not new, they were created by the Masters of long ago… we just have new “materials” to help make it easier to create the pieces.  I have always been willing to help other designers and artists learn techniques and give information on what has worked for me over the last 30 years and what hasn’t.  But, we cannot teach what you carry within yourself…. we can only teach techniques and give inspiration.

The main thing to remember as an artist/designer is to be true to one’s own style.  Although there is nothing really “new” to design that has not already been done….always make sure that you learn to “make it your own”.  There is a HUGE difference in being a “designer” and a “jewelry maker”, and if you want to make a living at designing than you must be willing to continue learning and going forward in your work; while making sure to stay true to your “branding style”.  Keep your eye on the trends, but manage to stay ahead of them.

What are you working on now?
I have several national magazines interested in doing a story on my work, so am in the middle of designing several new pieces for that.  I also have several shoots coming up with some celebrities that have requested certain looks and of course I have market coming up in January for my “resale” line….so, never a dull moment in the studio!

If you were a bead, what would you be?
What a great question!!!  I would be made of rustic metal, very old, and rare.

 Any additional advice?
No matter what a person dreams of being …. I say “go for it”; it is never too late!

Visit Debi Lynn Designs® online, enjoy reading Debi’s design blog, and swing by her store Yaya Chique in Houston, Texas. Can’t make it in? Follow Yaya Chique on Facebook and check out the Yaya Chique blog.