Stephanie Girdlestone

Where do you live?

Oregon

Describe your artistic style.

Simple and symmetrical

What inspires you as a designer-artist?

Unusual materials and color combinations

What materials do you most enjoy working with?

I don't really have a preference.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?

Rich in Creativity

When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?

I started making jewelry in 1998 when I began working at Fire Mountain Gems.

Who introduced you to beading?

I began working in customer service and at that time there weren't many resources on how to make jewelry or uses of products available. I couldn't stand not knowing how something worked when I'd need to explain it to a customer, so I began ordering product and trying it out.

Do you have an artistic background?

My mother is an artist, so I grew up surrounded by beautiful artwork. She works in a multitude of mediums which is probably where I get my inspiration for the unusual.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?

I walked in the door looking for a job. I had no idea what the product they sold was until the interview.

What other hobbies do you have?

Working with paper products--cards, counted cross-stitch, knitting.

What role does jewelry-making play in your life?

Because I work at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, my main focus is the customer. I want to make sure the customer has a great experience every time they call. Jewelry-making for me is a hobby that I have the privilege of indulging in whenever the creative mood takes me.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?

Don't be afraid to try new things. Most of the jewelry I've done has been symmetrical in nature, but the piece I enjoyed the most and am most proud of was a piece that I just let the materials talk to me. Jewelry-making should be a fun process that allows your creativity to flow and sometimes that means messy not perfectly matched up. Enjoy the process.