Meet LaDonna of LDWatkins Designs
Meeting interesting, creative women is one of the best parts about blogging and the investment of time on social media platforms. Some time ago I began to see posts by LaDonna and by other women wearing her creations and raving all about them. I was lucky enough to win a pair of her earrings in a give away on Instagram. Since I don’t have pierced ears, I asked if LaDonna could make her earrings into clips. I was thrilled to find out she was willing to customize them for me!
LaDonna’s Story
I started a personal influencer IG account a little over three years ago in what I THOUGHT was to help women gain confidence in themselves. About one year later I became interested in leather earrings because they are so light-weight and are super popular.
My husband encouraged me to start making them myself. At that time, I was looking for a creative outlet as I have had a cake business, where I baked and decorated cakes for weddings and helped with wedding planning. I found that to be overwhelming and too much time was involved in that business. I still knew I craved a creative outlet even though I had stopped the cake business but just didn’t know what I needed. When I started making earrings, I think initially it was to see if I could. I really felt like I was too old to get younger women to be interested in wearing my earrings, so I asked my daughter if she would be interested in modeling the styles.
I can’t say I had a passion for it but I decided I was going to give it one year which was last February and just see where it went. About ten months into it my daughter was doing the modeling but I felt like “I” was missing from my original purpose, to be on social media to help women gain confidence. I was only putting my thirty something year old daughter out there. How was I going to help women of my age gain confidence when I wasn’t even putting my self out there? I was the one who lacked confidence. I was saying one thing and doing another. After several conversations with my daughter she truly convinced me that I needed to put myself out there with my earrings. I really lacked the confidence I needed but I just went for it. When I began doing this on a regular basis I saw that there were many women around my age who were interested in what I was putting out there. That is when the business started really evolving into something personal for me. Once I changed my mindset, I really began to love to find the perfect leather based on what I was wearing or wanted to wear at the time. I drew interest from handbags, clothing, and shoes. That peaked my interest to find leather that coordinated with some of the latest styles in these accessories and clothing.
I also look at what color and patterns are going to be in style from the fashion shows but I definitely don’t only rely on that. Sometimes I just see a leather in a color or pattern and get excited about it and just go with it. From leather earrings I went into beading and making leather wrap bracelets and other bracelets as well. I would have to say that my favorite thing to make at the moment is a leather wrap beaded bracelet. One of these typically takes me 2 to 2.5 hours to make and for me, it is similar to sitting down and reading a book. Its just relaxing!!
Our mom/daughter duo has really helped us to reach a broader range of women. Now, I really don’t look at this as a business but more of a mission. I want all women to be able to have confidence in what they are wearing no matter what their age is and if that encompasses our jewelry…..then that makes me happy!!
My style recommendations for women would be just branching out of their comfort zone, So whatever that may be for each one. I strongly encourage each person to branch out of their comfort zone, it is liberating.
Accessories
In my world, no outfit is complete until it’s fully accessorized! Additionally, you know that I love everything to match and coordinate so does LaDonna. It’s been great ordering bracelets and earrings from LaDonna especially when I’m searching for a particular color…think neon green! All of her pieces are high quality, super cute and on trend! You can always update your look by updating your accessories and it won’t break the bank!
Leopard
Leopard is considered a neutral and can be paired great with any color. It appears the leopard trend will always be a constant in the fashion world!
Neon Green
Neon continues to trend this summer! If high doses of neon isn’t your thing, it’s easy to add a touch or pop of neon by adding some neon earrings! I absolutely had to have some neon green earrings!
Pink
My earring collection needed a hot pink pair! LaDonna was so nice and gifted me another shade of pink earrings! A girl can never have too many shades of pink her accessory collection!
Bracelets
One bracelet is always enough….said NO fashionista ever! A stack of bracelets is always better! Unless of course, you’re wearing one of LaDonna’s leather cuffs! I’m pictured here with the matching cuff and earrings in Cream/Gold Accent Crocodile.
I’m pictured here with a stack of four bracelets.
Leopard earrings by LaDonna and a stack of three bracelets! (You might recall this look from the blog on how to style bike shorts: click HERE.)
Whenever possible, I love to support small business especially owned by woman! I hope you consider shopping LDWatkins Designs for some beautifully designed, high quality, made by hand earrings and bracelets. You can reach LaDonna LDWatkins Designs:
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