Who is BellaLili and what do you do?
Bella Lili comes from my daughters names. Isabella and Liliana. They are my muse, my everything. My name is actually Autumn, I am the one woman show behind Bella Lili. I design all my graphics, take all my pics, buy all my supplies, ship each and every item personally and last but not least….create all the jewelry for sale in my shop.
What is steampunk / Gothic / alternative subculture to you?
Steampunk to me is something from an alternate reality. Where by some twist of fate we still live in the Victorian era with Modern conveniences. So computers would be gilded with 24kt gold filigree instead of having a sleek black contemporary look now. Where industrial items are made beautiful and artfully displayed.
Goth to me is a label others give you. Most who are considered Goth haven’t labeled themselves. We just prefer the darker side of beautiful. Lovely, coldly, beautiful edgy things. Not necessarily black, just the absence of color. I create a lot of Goth items in gunmetal or gray. I think the alternative subculture is the inclination to the taboo. All of us for some reason love things that are in taboo in some way. I have an almost maniacal obsession for fantasy and skulls.
What drew you to the culture/style initially?
I have always have done my own thing. So growing up I wanted to be a badass rock star who screamed my angst at the world, but still was a vixen. As I age, reality sets in and I have come into my own style. Depending on who you ask, they will call me Goth or just odd. I love to wear a beautiful skull necklace with a pretty dress with my back piece showing. Most of my jewelry is what I love to wear.
How did you or will you incorporate gothic and steampunk features into your wedding?
Well I am happily divorced.
BUT for my next wedding, I envision and me being a vision in gray. From head to toe in charcoal loveliness. I want a beautiful handmade tiara (a silver skull cameo poised on filigree) with gray and black crystals to catch the light. A matching choker with a deep plunging dangles that fill my decollete.
A lovely pewter gray corset dress matching top hat (I would put the tiara on the hat band).
Yards and yards of merlot silk draped on anything standing still.
Candelabra’s on every table with flames candles (I am a clutz and could see setting myself on fire otherwise).
I would walk down the aisle on black silk to a wedding march played by the best guitarist I knew. Red rose petals would permeate the air as I thread across them.
My Groom would be in solid black, his attire would be the perfect match to my gray. But darker more dangerous. All dangerous men wear ascots don’t they?
Ok I better stop, I am getting caught up in my own vision. But you get the drift.
Tell us a little about your design process – how do you choose materials/motifs/inspiration for your pieces?
Funny things is that I usually find a name first, then I design a piece around that. Different I know. But it works for me. I have notebooks and notebooks full of names I love and sketches of what that name means to me.
Why do you think BellaLili appeals to so many people?
I think I strike a chord within people. There really is no common denominator in who likes my items. I have teenagers up to 60 years olds who are regular customers. I try and offer the whole experience. From a lovely picture, to a small insight into what I was thinking when I made the piece, to the beautiful custom boxes, and a personal email from me when it ships. And free shipping always. I love it when someone go the extra mile. So I try to offer that to my customers.
Name a couple of bands/songs that are on your stereo at the moment?
Sick Puppies, Nightwish, Burning Souls, Etta James, Joan Jett, and the Ramons,
What’s coming up for BellaLili?
Well I have more designs then free time, but I am going to offer some select piece in solid Fine Silver (99.9%) and I am going to be in the 1st quarter issue of Gothic Beauty. They did a product review on some items I sent them last quarter. My next goal is to get into Coilhouse and do some National Conventions/Shows.
Any advice you could offer to Wedding Skulls? (wedding advice, shopping advice, or life advice!)
Don’t buy anything if you do not absolutely love it. If you see something and are buying the cheaper version or compromising because you can’t have what you really want. Stop! Don’t buy it. Its amazing how your life will change when you only buy things for yourself you absolutely love and will die without. That old adage is very true…You get what you pay for.
