Krafty Max Originals
Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Jacksonville, Florida
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I am inspired by the beads themselves. My mother taught me to bead at a very early age. She had me look at each bead for its personality and style and to bead around that!
What medium do you work with mostly?
I create in almost every style. I do basic stranding, as well as elaborate seed bead designs. I do not duplicate my creations though, so I am always working on something new and exciting!
Why did you become enchanted with this style of jewelry-making?
I love to create. I am glad that I am not focused on only one medium, this way I can create what the beads deserve, and design around THEM. Many times I change style and medium just to fit the beads!
Where and How do you sell your jewelry?
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Reaching Tranquility Miniature Dressing Screen
What inspired this design?
I was inspired to create something that was unique by my mom and dad. I have been beading for most of my life and wanted something that challenged and inspired me. I fell in love with this creation right from the beginning. Over 6 hours went into the design of the total pattern and over 100 hours of beading. Each panel has over 10,000 Delica® seed beads in it, totaling well over 40,000 beads in the completed project. I used 28 colors in total. There are also crystals used for the "hinges" and at the top of the posts.
I chose the name Reaching Tranquility Miniature Dressing Screen for this Krafty Max Original creation because it truly had me reaching for tranquility. During this project I was surprised at all the emotions that it either brought out or created. I went from frustration to fascination and from inspiration to exasperation! But through it all I was inspired and felt a deep sense of tranquility from the creation itself.
I hope that you (those of you who have watched it grow) have gotten some inspiration and tranquility as well. And for those of you that are looking at it for the first time, I hope that you see the hours of love and devotion that went into creating this work of art. Enjoy!!
How did it come together?
When I started I had 28 colors of 11o (11 per inch) Delica seed beads ...
It is designed as a miniature--oriental style--dressing screen I created it with 4 panels and then put them together with crystals and framework on the back. This is a decorative piece of art. It can be displayed standing, lying flat or hanging.