Rita Hauer

Ocean Breeze
Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
St. Louis, Missouri

Describe your artistic style.
I make jewelry that is traditional, pleasing to the eye and can be worn every day with a variety of clothing.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Seeing a certain color, an animal or something in nature might inspire me.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I enjoy working with a variety of beads such as lampwork beads, glass beads, glass pearls and acrylic beads.

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

What inspired this design?
I was inspired by the way the various blue and green beads complemented each other so well.

How did it come together?
I really didn't plan it out. I simply mixed the beautiful blues and greens together and strung them in no particular order. I think it turned out to be rather stunning.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I have been making jewelry for a few years now. I initially started out making jewelry for myself and that was all it took to get me hooked.

Who introduced you to beading?
I am basically a self taught jewelry designer.

Do you have an artistic background?
For as long as I can remember I have been doing some sort of craft.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
I heard about Fire Mountain Gems and Beads from some of the beading magazines I read.

What other hobbies do you have?
I enjoy reading and scrapbooking. In fact, when each of my daughters graduated from high school, I made them a scrapbook that chronicled events and things that they had done in their life to that point.

Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
Not at this time but that might be something I will look into in the future.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Jewelry-making is my passion. I have a full-time job and on most days I can't wait to get home to finish a piece that I have been working on or start on a new piece. Jewelry-making is a great way for me to relax and unwind after work.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I have a shop on Etsy which has been a wonderful experience for me (http://www.etsy.com/shop/JewelryDesignsByRita). I have also sold my jewelry at craft fairs.

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
Not at this time.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Never stop doing what you love to do.