Bobbie Yoakum Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
I am a retired Math teacher living in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I started beading in 1989 and teaching beading in 1999.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I am inspired by my two dear friends who are amazing bead artists: Paula Adams and Margo Field.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I love working with seed beads.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
What inspired this design?
My friend, Joyce, took a number of my classes. One class made ladybugs, another spiders, dragonflies, etc. She had problems with the classes at first. But finally caught on.
How did it come together?
I told her that I was going to make a necklace that would include all kinds of bugs. One of our friends said you could call it Joyce's Bug-A-Boo. So, I planned the whole necklace around bugs.
Why did you become enchanted with this style of jewelry-making?
I became enchanted with beading because of my doll collection. A friend gave me a doll that was supposed to represent Native Americans. We took the outfit off, made an outfit out of buck skin and I embellished with beads.
Where and how do you sell your jewelry?
I sell to friends, family and interested customers of the bead stores I worked for and teach at: Poppy Field Bead Company, Bead Obsession, Elinors' Gallery and Beaded Iris. I have donated pieces to various nonprofit organizations.