Melissa Martinez

Meet the Designer-Artist

Where do you live?

Elk Grove, California

Describe your artistic style.

My creative design. I love to work with mixed media. I will blend 2 or 3 ideas together.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?

My daughter Elizabeth. She always has a smile when I show her the new design I made.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?

I love working with crystals. I have to use them in all my designs.

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

Butterfly Wishes

What inspired this design?

Purple being my favorite color, the way the purple seems to blend. I'm making bead dangles.

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?

I designed it as I went along. I had the a magnetic clasp on the bracelet and by accident it stuck to the necklace, which gave it an added flair. It could be worn as a 2 stand necklace or necklace and bracelet.

Share Your Background

When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?

When I was 17 my mom signed me up for a class as a birthday gift. I quickly got hooked.

Who introduced you to beading?

My mother.

Do you have an artistic background?

Yes, my mother and grandma.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?

A friend showed me a catalog.

What other hobbies do you have?

Polymer clay and scrapbooking.

Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?

I belong to the bead bunch. It's a group that meets at the local bead shop.

Beading Success

What role does jewelry-making play in your life?

I make jewelry to help relax me. It is a part time job. I'm a jewelry teacher at Joann's.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?

I attend craft fairs. I enter my jewelry at the state fair where I won some awards. My website is passionoflove.weebly.com

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?

I make bracelets for the church to spread the love of God.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?

Keep up with your dreams and keep creating.