L. L. Y. Atelier is a local small business which sells experimental art and functional pieces made out of metal such as silver jewelry, bronze homeware, furniture, flatware and small sculptures all created by designer Agathe Bodineau. We spoke with Bodineau, the founding designer behind the brand, to find out more about the work that they do.
What is your business called and what does it do?
L.L.Y. Atelier makes jewelry, mostly in silver. The pieces are sculptural, organic and sometimes unconventional, but with a sophisticated and modern approach. Recently, I started exploring with pieces I call functional sculptures: they are larger and more experimental pieces in bronze in between homeware, ornamental furnishing, flatware and small sculptures.
What made you want to do this work?
I never imagined myself a business owner, but my creative project organically became a full-time business and I found myself really appreciating the autonomy and independence.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
I don’t have a very specific demographic. I like to work with everyone and see my work on different profiles. I would say the majority of my clients are probably women, but this is also evolving and I love seeing all people of all ages wear my work, as I don’t create for a specific gender or client in mind.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
Mostly through e-commerce. All of my work is designed, produced, finished and marketed in Montreal, but e-commerce allows me to expand to other markets as well and I sell internationally. Local people can also come to see the showroom and see the pieces in person.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
I am located in Mile-Ex, which is a quickly changing neighbourhood, still a bit off the beaten path. Most of the suppliers and producers for jewelry-related work are centred around the downtown area, so I go back and forth between the two neighbourhoods.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Ask a lot of questions about the process and materials! Good materials will make a piece timeless, and a much better investment on the long run than cheaper materials or plated items.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part of my work is definitively the creative process, even if other tasks end up taking most of my time, but creating new work is what I like the best. The worst part is accounting! That was a no-brainer for me.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
People think jewelry making is fancy and elegant. The production itself is actually very dirty, dusty and messy. We come out of the studio covered in dust, with black nails.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
YES! I love Samantha-Tara Mainville from Heirloom Hats. She has a shop and space in Parc-Ex and is madly talented.
