Meet Chandra Chatmon | Jewelry & Accessories Artist, Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chandra Chatmon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chandra, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The path to my creative career has played out like a windy, crooked road. It actually didn’t start until I was well into my corporate career, which acted as a powerful catalyst over time. I wrote and self-published a novel in 2004 in response to my father’s death and being laid off. I’m pretty sure it was the only thing that kept me from sinking into a deep depression and honestly the process was exciting. I started a publishing business and ran it from top to bottom. Little did I know how much the publishing business would change during those years and many of the bookstores that helped me build a name for myself locally closed their doors after a short time. I returned to corporate America for a spell, but one thing became clear to me – I was meant to be an artist and it was time for me to embrace it fully.

My next creative venture involved designing jewelry. The best part of my work day as a supply chain professional was walking to Macy’s after work or during lunch to shop the jewelry counter. It dawned on me one day that I could make my own jewelry so I spent evenings crafting. One day my husband walked by where I was working and told me that I should consider showing my work. I had a choice to make. I could keep spinning my wheels at a desk job – the money was good and the benefits were excellent but I was miserable and mostly out of place. Or I could step out into the unknown and really be excited and proud about something much more meaningful to me. Creativity is at the core of who I am and I have to honor it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My primary focus as an artist for the past decade is jewelry and accessories design. I am a self-taught jewelry artist – I work primarily with wire, gemstones, crystal and glass. My grandmother and mother taught me to crochet when I was about five years old and crochet is something that I regularly incorporate into my jewelry designs. I use both knitting and crochet techniques to craft handbags, scarves and hats. Jewelry and accessory design is a well-saturated discipline so it takes equal parts crazy and confident to keep going. Growing an audience is a considerable challenge but two things have helped me – one was the pandemic and the other is consistency. I make one-of-a-kind items and I found more customers due to higher internet use for shopping over the past couple of years. Consistency for me is showing up on social media even when I’m not really feeling it. In fact, some of my best sale days happened precisely when I was sure that no one was paying attention.

The most important lesson I’ve learned along the way is to keep moving forward, to keep pressing on even when everything seems impossible. I know the best is yet to come for C Dyann Designs.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Our first stop would be Fatburger. My friend’s response to the food would determine how much more time we spent together. Next we’d drive up to Kenneth Hahn Park and take a long walk, snap a few pictures and sit and enjoy the view.

I really like Pantages theater, I saw The Color Purple musical there so I would try to see if any good shows were playing during her visit.

I would also like for her to experience El Cholo – a classic landmark with great food and ambience.

But honestly I would probably try to arrange to spend most of our time at the beach. Any beach will do, but I would show her Manhattan Beach and Venice Beach simply because of their popularity.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Charles Chatmon

Website: https://cdyanndesigns.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cdyanndesigns/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandra-chatmon-2296031/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdysigns

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdF5SC393aT0pa-oqREsFkg