Hey it's Maz, or if you really wanted to get personal you can call me Rose. If you played WoW with me any of those seven years of my life, you'll probably recognize me. If not, totally understandable.
What am I doing on Shapeways? Well I stumbled upon Shapeways last year and was so embarrassed I somehow missed this whole industry developing around the same time I finished my Bachelor's, I didn't get really involved right away. Actually I was completely broke and could only manage sculpting models that I might print someday.
Why was I broke? You said Bachelor's right? Well like most everything after Bush administration, the economy changed and continued to do so. All I was worried about was making money right away to pay off that silly $80k I racked up going to college. Yes, I know the kids today say hell that's cheap compared to today! Anyways.
Graduated with my degree in digital entertainment and game design. Sadly there wasn't much to choose from living in Nebraska so I settled for working the front desk at a copy shop. It felt terrible knowing I was wasting away my potential, but all I could think about was money and the horrible relationship it has with me. Then I was promoted to a graphic designer and prepress specialist. I stayed long enough until they wanted me to become the full-time wide format specialist and manage the store I worked in, while still making the same wage.
I then got hired on as a production artist for a screen printing company. Hey I'm getting closer to my dream now! That lasted long enough until I was working overtime running a flatbed press at night making 4x8 political signs. Night after night I realized the whole life I wanted couldn't be bought or found in Nebraska for me. So I packed up and moved to Oregon.
After a few months looking for work I settled for a prepress assistant/production artist position. That lasted a couple years until I realized yet again, I wouldn't really be happy until I was doing what I wanted. Confusing part was that I didn't know what I really even wanted to do. Everything was and is fascinating to me. The idea of me being entirely self sufficient for everything is priceless to me. So I started looking into Portland and then moved up here.
Been looking for work since I moved up here, the usual printing industry. Haven't landed anything yet and in the while I've done weekend markets, gift shows, Street fairs, artwalks, and small events here and there. I've sold mostly hand made jewelry and little tokens of art. Display my illustrations and paintings everywhere I go. I'll actually be going into my first cafe in December, really exciting!
Since I started modeling again last year and didn't get the funds till the beginning of this year to get the prints made, I now have this whole other card to see if it pans out. The earrings in my shop are mostly for me but maybe someone else might want them. I've worn gauged jewelry for over ten years and the part I always hated was the selection. Pretty much consists of plugs, tunnels, hoops, wood, stone and plastic designs. Out of all the ones I had seen over the years, there never was really the gauge jewelry I wanted. So I decided to make my own. Whether or not other people dig them too is a whole other story. Tons of people in Portland wear gauged jewelry. Maybe they won't, but at least I finally got the jewelry I've wanted for so long.
Bottom line is, do I know what I want to do yet? Not a clue really. I'm hoping I will keep sculpting and creating because it has held my attention the longest. We'll see.
Oh hey, did I say hi? Hi there shapies! That's the Shapeways way right? Sorry if I come off socially awkward. =)
