A Crafty Questionnaire: Martin Lopez

August 23, 2010

A Crafty Questionnaire: Martin Lopez

Martin Lopez started making jewelry for theatre, recreating period jewelry for plays and musicals. Intrigued by how the jewelry reflected and furthered the story being told on stage, Martin continued to develop his interest in personal adornment, opening his own shop, Adornments NYC, and incorporating inspiration from vintage elements.

Designing these one-of-a-kind pieces allows Martin to create something new out of something old, and also allows him to creatively explore the delicacy of vintage elements in combination with modern materials.

Martin's jewelry is featured in The {NewNew} Treasure Chest of Handmade Items on Governor's Island this summer. The unique pop-up store is open a few more weeks, through September 6, 2010. So don't miss your ferry ride to this wonderful summer treat in the heart of NYC, and the opportunity to try on, and buy, a piece of jewelry made by Martin.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Good times with family and friends, all of us together, making and sharing a good meal somewhere with a beautiful view, good music playing, and laughing until our faces and sides hurt.

What is your greatest fear?
My Sallie Mae loans from getting my MFA from NYU’s Department of Design for Stage and Film. When I’m not making jewelry I design sets and costumes for Theatre and Opera.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Do the characters on Glee count as historical figures? I identify with all of them, except for the fact that I can’t sing well and I never sing in public.

Which living person do you most admire?
Set and costume designer Alison Chitty, a brilliant, smart designer and one of the most kind and generous people I have ever had the opportunity to work with. I’m also blessed to be able to be able to call her my friend.

Do you have a theme song, and what is it?
It would have to be the “Mahna Mahna” song from Sesame Street, especially the Tiki Mix by Piero Umiliani.

What is the trait you most like in yourself?
I’m not afraid to jump in with both feet. (Others might see that as stupidity.)

What is the trait you most like in others?
Honesty.

What is your greatest extravagance?
I’m not very extravagant these days, but if I were to treat myself it would definitely be to travel.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I could master punctuality, especially early in the morning. It’s a challenge for me. I’m a total night owl and find myself working far too late far too often, which makes the mornings come all too early.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Just that I have survived 10 years of living in New York, pursuing my dreams, doing what I love. It’s not always easy, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.

If you were to be reincarnated as a person, animal, or thing, what do you think you would be?
I don’t know about the future, but in the past I must have been a magpie – I love shiny things. Seriously.

What is your most treasured possession?
My greatest treasures are my friends and family, but as to actual possessions...probably all my photo albums, and then all my art and design books.

Which talent or skill would you most like to have?
I wish I could sing well.

What is it the one thing you dislike the most?
People who are disrespectful and oblivious to the world around them.

Who are your favorite artists?
Oh, there are so many! But to name a few: Traian Alexandru Filip, Modigliani, Ingres, Sargent, Tim Hawkinson, Turner, Kandinski, Joseph Cornell

Is there any invention you wish you had thought of?
The iPod.

What's the first thing you remember making?
I don’t have any idea what the first thing was, but I’ve always been making things, from drawing and painting, to macaroni necklaces for my mom, to dioramas for class and “sets” for my Star Wars figures when I was a kid… But mostly in my younger years I took things apart because I had to know how they worked.