Donna Blommel

Donna Blommel

Sunburst Necklace

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Contest 2010

featuring Metal Clay, Metal Beads, Wirework and Chain

Finalist

Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Richmond, Virginia

Describe your artistic style.
Abstract. I am vector oriented. Enjoy shapes and lines.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Fabric--I like to go to the fabric shop and see designs and textures of fabrics.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Pearls

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

What inspired this design?
I wanted to use pearls with wire and I wanted to use a lot of wire to see what could come of the design. I wanted to do something simplistic, but different.

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
It was planned, but the design changed at the end.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
Only been making jewelry for a couple of years.

Who introduced you to beading?
Started myself--took some classes to make a few things, now I have a stash of jewelry-making materials.

Do you have an artistic background?
Yes. Began sewing at an early age. Been working with fabric for years and wanted to expand with beads and jewelry-making.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
Took a class at a local arts center and the instructor mentioned Fire Mountain's website and business. I visited the site and now I am hooked.

What other hobbies do you have?
Scrapbooking, sewing, gardening.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
It is nice to sit down and make something that someone uses to adorn themselves. A feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
Right now, I make jewelry for gifts. The selling might happen in the future.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
I am an aspiring jewelry artist myself, so I would have to say "don't get overwhelmed" with so many materials available. The ideas start rolling. It is hard to keep track of them all.