Joanie Whitehead
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Meet the Designer-ArtistWhere do you live?Dallas, TX Describe your artistic style. Elegant and colorful--especially jewel-tone designs What inspires you as a designer-artist? I am most inspired by my surroundings, the things I see in nature--a beautiful piece of art, a geographical design, etc. What materials do you most enjoy working with? Bead weaving and metal/wire-wrapping. Both pattern and freeform designs. What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story? Beautiful Metallic Garden What inspired this design? I took a class to learn about coloring metal. Then I experimented with many different inks, dyes, and paints. Then I wanted make a necklace and this is it. How did it come together? I had a general idea, and I had many of the individual pieces. I had to try several ideas for the base until I decided on the twisted wire base. Share Your BackgroundWhen and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?I began beading about 1988 when I visited a little bead shop in San Diego. I began taking classes and have continued to bead since. My first beading experiences were with instructors. Do you have an artistic background? I have a B.S. in music and have taken many art courses. How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®? From beading magazines such as Bead and Button Magazine. Beading SuccessWhat role does jewelry-making play in your life?Beading is my passion and I find it very fulfilling. I try to bead every day because I am working to make it my full-time career. If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry? I have a website--www.joaniesjewelry.com. I have a mini-catalog that I distribute and my friends sponsor trunk shows for me at their businesses. This is my first contest. View all of Joanie's designs in the Gallery of Designs. |