Carol Davis

Carol Davis

Winter Swirl

2009 Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Beading Contest Finalist

Meet the Designer-Artist

Where do you live?
Spring Valley, CA

Describe your artistic style.
Symmetrical I suppose, especially with jewelry and ornaments.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I'm really just a crafter with restless hands.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Beads (all kinds), molded, polystyrene, laces and braids, plastic, canvas, wood and other things

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

What inspired this design?
Not sure. I liked the color combination of the beads, then had to figure out how to wrap them around a polystyrene ball.

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
Both, then I made a crude graph and applied some simple math and geometry to create various designs.

Share Your Background

When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
About 30 years ago.

Who introduced you to beading?
Catalogues, I guess. I would see items in a catalogue and think to myself, I could make a similar item and possibly improve upon it.

Do you have an artistic background?
I don't think so, but I always loved to draw and color as a kid.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
Ads in magazines

What other hobbies do you have?
Ornament making and plastic canvas coloring. I could never find a coloring book with designs I liked, so I drew my own. That was fun.

Beading Success

What role does jewelry-making play in your life? (How does it affect you day-to-day, emotionally and physically? Full-time career? Hobby?)
Hobbies are always relaxing. Also, I was house-bound for so many years and needed an outlet. Crafting has always been very satisfying.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry? (Website? Craft fair/market? Enter contests? Send out mailings?)
My sister and some friends have been able to sell some of my stuff for me, mostly at Christmas.

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers? Examples: Make jewelry to support a cause? Any educational programs that use beads/beading to raise awareness?
A few times.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Observe women in catalogues, magazines and on TV. See what's current and go for it!

View all of Carol's designs in the Gallery of Designs.