{image1} In the battle of the left and right brain, some people never find balance between their analytical and creative sides. Renee Fensin, associate financial representative by day and jewelry designer by night, is finding a profitable balance in both worlds.
As a practicing lawyer, Fensin yearned for a creative outlet. "In the beginning, I would see something I like and think to myself, I can do that. I can even do it better," she says. Fensin began creating jewelry as a sort of therapy, an escape from all of the law books.
"Once I started, I couldn't stop. I had to keep doing it... and getting rid of it," Fensin says. After giving her creations away as birthday gifts, completely accessorizing her friends and family and receiving positive feedback after an art fair on the East Side, she decided to pursue retail stores in town. And her hobby became an entrepreneurial endeavor; Renee Fensin Designs was born.
Today, you can find her creations at Lela in the Third Ward. "Renee has a commitment to an affordable price point," Lela's Carrie Arrouet says. "Every customer can afford a piece of her jewelry. Her funky and intricate designs always draw the attention of our shoppers."
"I like to create unique things that you won't find everywhere," Fensin says. "I like to keep it affordable, so people can pick up a piece and not break the bank."
Her current designs range in price from $15 to $80, and you can find earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings in a variety of styles. She offers pendants on chains, wire-worked earrings and traditional string beading with a twist.
Fensin began with just beads on string but has advanced to so much more. She currently enjoys working with wire. "When you uncoil it, you have to control it and see how it goes," Fensin says. "It can take on a life of its own. Sometimes I just go with it and see where it takes me. It is like creating a sculpture."
She is expanding her work to include precious metal clay. And this will add a new dimension to her creations since the current materials have been restricting her design ideas.
Fensin says Milwaukee is a great place to start such an endeavor. "Everyone has been really supportive and the stores have been great," she says. "Milwaukee still has that small town atmosphere where people want to support local talent. There is no reason good design can't come from Milwaukee."
A highlight of Fensin's entrepreneurial experience occurred last summer at Trocadero. "I saw a girl I didn't know wearing my earrings. It was amazing. I want to keep expanding until everyone has a piece," she says.
From lawyer to associate financial representative and part-time jewelry designer, Fensin succeeds in left brain and right brain worlds. She finds using both sides to be therapeutic. "You need the right and left brain balance," Fensin says.
As she reviews fashion magazines to research the latest trends, Fensin lets her imagination run wild. She contemplates taking some metal smithing courses and is excited to explore other materials for her creations. Milwaukeeans, keep your eyes open for the Renee Fensin Designs label. Can your left brain and right brain agree on a piece to suit your style?
