Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Jewelry-Making Contest 2010 featuring Crystal
Finalist |
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Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Wray, Colorado
Describe your artistic style.
I enjoy working in many different mediums and styles.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I travel lots, so I'm inspired by research into other cultures. I also enjoy other artist's creations.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I like to work with lots of different mediums. I especially love things that sparkle. I do some smithing and make porcelain beads.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Colorful Sparkle Plenty Bracelet
What inspired this design?
I was making a two-row design. It didn’t look as I wished so I added two more rows and got creative with the crystal placement.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
About 4 years ago I was making porcelain doll jewelry.
Who introduced you to beading?
Myself. I did some lapidary and silver smithing as I got older. Beading just took its place.
Do you have an artistic background?
I have a degree in fashion design, so I took quite a few basic art courses to that end. That was in the early 1960s and things have changed a lot!
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
I was googling a certain type of bead.
What other hobbies do you have?
China painting, sewing, travel and playing cards.
Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
No, I live 180 miles from any city. I do bead with friends and a church group.
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Beading entertains me. It is a hobby. I have a shop where I'd bead almost every day for a while.
If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I sell jewelry to several shops. Mostly I give things to family and friends and sell in craft fairs on occasion.
Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
I help a church group to make things for craft fairs and donate items to local fundraisers.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Get a good pair of magnified glasses. You will make lots of friends beading. Take some classes. |