CindyLou

We all know that the key to looking amazing is having the right accessories accentuate to your outfit. Doloris Petunia's accessories are just the thing that every gal needs to make heads turn. I was mesmerized by all her designs especially when I read that she did custom designs and made something for Michelle Kwan to wear during one of her performances, I just had to know more about the designer! She was super sweet and gave tFAF that chance to get to know her a little bit better! PS just for reading this article you can get 10% off your order just by mentioning tFAF!

Read our Q&A with the designer below! You will see that not only is she such a sweetheart but she loves what she does. She also highlights lots of fashion tips for all us fashionistas!

Check out her pieces here on Etsy

Q: Tell us Fashion Accessory Forum Members your personal name, business name, website, and location.

A: My name is Courtney Prince- My company is Doloris Petunia- Doloris Petunia | Everything lovely... (which is a bit down at the moment- but has a link to my etsy site). I just moved to Santa Monica, Ca from NYC where I lived for 13 years. I went to NYU and Pratt and just loved it so much I stayed. I am originally from Utah.

Q: How did you come up with your business name?

A: My dog Lolita's full name is Doloris Petunia Bean - but she goes by the nick name Lolita. I have had her for 8 years and I thought it was a cute name for my line since it has a bit of nostalgic whimsy as well as a strong sense of femininity.


Q: What is your workspace like?

I have my own office in my home. That is the best part of moving to LA from NYC. I have a lot of shelves and a huge kitchen table I converted into my desk and work space. I also have a small area with a sofa and "show room" type area of the room to display my designs to stylists and clients.


Q: How long does it take you to make one of your necklaces, earrings, or hair piece?

A: If I am on a roll I can do something in about an hour- if I am not it can take me all day- it depends how excited I am about something and if I have all of the materials I need at my disposal .... and how much I have to do.


Q: You currently have a lot of statement necklaces for sale, what is it about them than you find artistically captivating?

A: Well I think of my self as a trend analyst. I am good at knowing what is the next hot thing except I will begin to want something that I can not find in a store and then that is when I start making it. I started DP last Fall on the streets of NYC. The back story is that as a hobby I was making feather headbands and fascinators for myself, then friends, and then I was selling them like wildfire all over NYC. It was September last year that I started looking for necklaces like the ones I make now, but I didn't start making them till last Spring. I love statement pieces- it is amazing to change your whole outfit with one accessory I literally always wear something as simple jeans and a tank top and a cardigan and one of my necklaces and it seems like a different outfit each time- and I literally can't make it down the street without someone asking me where I got my necklace (that is the biggest way I sell my pieces) I just wear them to places like the grocery store.

I guess the answer to your question is- if I want it- then it captivates me.

Q: The necklaces are beautiful, but they look heavy, as a buyer is there something we should ask or consider before purchasing?

A: Some are more heavy then others- I wear my stuff all of the time and keeping them light is the biggest factor I keep in mind when choosing my pieces. I have never had a complaint and I would say it is similar to the weight of a men's tie. I have never heard a client having an issue with (the weight) in fact most of my clients say they are surprised when they get their piece how light it is. I also am always very concerned with the comfort of the back on the skin. I line all of my pieces with silk and so that is all that touches the wearers skin.


Q: Is there a specific material that you prefer to work with when creating your designs?

A: No. I love to use all sorts of things- especially vintage and non conventional pieces. I am using a lot of millinery flowers in my fall designs and those are always fun.

Q:I know you make custom pieces, what is the strangest or most creative thing that someone has asked you to make?

A: I have a lot of fun weddings I have done custom necklaces for. I just did a fun group of custom statement necklaces for the bride and bridesmaids of a Marie Antoinette themed wedding, that was fun to research the period and find the parts for. I do get odd requests that might seem a bit odd, but I love the challenge of taking things I maybe wouldn't have thought to put together and making it work.... but those will remain nameless!


Q: Can you share the process of ordering a custom design? What would we have to submit to you, price, and turn around time?

A: People contact me a lot through etsy or through the web or a blog like this one. A recent custom order was from a woman from Australia who was a professional Ballroom Dancer. She had seen my designs in Grazie Magazine- which is sort of like People in the US. She emailed me at info@dolorispetunia.com and said she would like a necklace she saw in that magazine recreated for her up and coming ballroom dancing costume. I asked her for the need by date and we figured out what she wanted and what that would cost. I talked to her a lot about what her movement needs would be from what I learned from recently designing a piece for Michelle Kwan. She then send me a 50% deposit on the piece via paypal and I went out and bought the supplies. She had given me 2 months from the time she contacted me to the time she needed it. I sent the piece out to her after a month (keeping in mind I had to send it to Australia and wanted to keep the cost level down on shipping). She should get the piece about two weeks before her need by date. Before I sent her the piece I photographed it and send her images for her to approve (and) once it was approved I sent her a pay pal bill for the remainder of the balance- plus shipping.

I like to keep a little bit of time open all the time because I have brides or clients that will contact me and want something with less then a weeks turn around time.


Q: You were featured in LUCKY Magazine's hottest pick, how did you find out about that and what was your reaction?

A: I think I just saw it randomly on Etsy- Etsy can be a bit mysterious that way. I was so flattered and it was really exciting to feel like I am on the right track


Q: Your designs have been worn by Michelle Kwan and another celeb at the daytime Emmys, share with us what it is like to see your designs been worn out on the street or on the red carpet.

A: Wow, it is amazing. I also have been featured in Cosmo, Bazaar and a bunch of UK and Asian publications, its so cool. I also think it is so cool to have people like you writing to ask me these questions and finding blogs on the Internet that are weighing in on my designs. The magazine and celeb stuff is really cool, I do have to say that when brides contact me to make something for their special day, that is one of the most special feelings. I love the idea that something I am making is helping to make someone feel more beautiful


Q: Do you add any personal messages, inscriptions, or hidden meanings to your designs?

A: For my brides, or if they are having me do something for their bridesmaids, I like to write the date of their wedding on the back, and if it is for their bridesmaids (since it is often a gift for their best girl friends) I ask them if they would like me to write a message for each of the women on the back of their pieces, as a keep sake. Other then that, I like my designs to have a sense of humor, a lot of my necklaces have funny little bits and parts ( little treasures you only see when you are up close) like a funny pendant or something that creates originality or a conversation. I have attached an image that is called "first class" that has a little phone that i twisted the cord to say "hello" and the dial actually twirls, that sort of thing makes me happy.


Q: I am sure you love all your designs, but do you have a favorite?

They change all of the time... I will have a favorite for a while and then a new one and so on and so forth. My avatar image has maybe my all time favorite, the body of the piece is something I make a lot, it is simple and I use it to highlight a neat brooch, the brooch on it now is a small elephant that I made removable Clark Kent glasses for and reminds me of my fiancee and so I will never sell it....maybe it is my favorite


Q: How do you like to wear your designs?

A: With anything! I feel so blessed to be doing what I do in this economy. I love my work because it allows me to wear all of my boring old clothes and feel like I have on a new spiffy outfit each day! I think with the statement pieces simple is the best route. Right now I am loving wearing chunky cable knit sweaters with tall riding boots and a necklace like "roman" or "September"


Picture of Michelle Kwan's custom piece: