Questions with a Maker: BR Design Co.

We are so excited to have the sisters of BR Design Co in store in Charleston, and loved hearing what they had to say about their brand, their story, and what inspired them. Don't forget to come meet the ladies in person February 8th, 12-4pm at our Charleston store for a one of a kind pop-up! 

Here's what the sisters behind BR Design Co had to say:

What is your brand name?

BR Design Co is a collaboration of sisters Cassandra Browner Richardson and Carlene Browner.  Prior to combining our brands in 2007 we each created jewelry under our own individual brands.

What is your best creative advice?

Our best creative advice is to create what feels like you.  You have to create in a comfort zone. It has to feel real to you or it will be short lived.  We have been making clay jewelry since we were young girls with our Mom Queenie. Carlene and I are actually very different creatively.  I have connections to neutrals and she has a love of colors. We think it has a lot to do with our chosen professions. I am a Registered Nurse and Carlene is a first grade teacher.  I like the actual process of making the jewelry and she prefers the aesthetic of the finished product. Luckily this works perfectly for our business.  

What inspires you and your products?

It sounds cliche but we are literally inspired by everything.  Carlene loves fashion magazines and runway looks. Anything fashion related actually.  I am mostly drawn to architecture and home design publications. Carlene will take a photo of a person wearing a beautiful sweater and I will take a photo of an interesting door or window.  I also spend a lot of time collecting paint chips from Lowes. Many of our textured pieces are inspired by nature scenes of trees, flowers, shrubs, etc.

What are you known best for doing?  What do you suck at?

We are known best for simple shapes with lots of color.  We both suck at business paperwork and anything computer related.  

Guiding Principle?  Brand Inspiration?

Our guiding principle is “Never take shortcuts”.  We started making clay jewelry over 40 years ago with our Mom and over the years we have had times when we made lots of jewelry and times where we only made pieces for ourselves but through all of those times we always did the best job we could do.  Each piece was made with care and just like our Mom taught us.  

Our brand is best known for simple shapes but with lots of color.  We always display every color on the color wheel because just like we have a favorite color we appreciate that so does everyone else.  When a customer walks up to our market booth they will always have a choice of all the primary and secondary colors. We actually have a chart posted to make sure they are all represented.

Our products motto:  Simple. Modern. Color.