|
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Jewelry-Making Contest 2010 featuring Pearls, Organic Beads or Kato Polyclay™
Finalist |
|
Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Savannah, Georgia
Describe your artistic style.
I enjoy a free-style bead embroidery, incorporating natural, organic materials into my work.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
My constant inspiration is the awesomeness of God's creations: the ever-changing sea, a golden mountain in fall, the intricacy of a leaf, the glory of a sunset, a dewdrop on a rose.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Organic, natural materials found in nature such as sea shells, flowers, driftwood or moss. Coral or pearls are always my first love when designing beadwork.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Xel-Ha, pronounced "Shell-Ha." It was named after a beautiful coral reef inlet in Mexico.
What inspired this design?
Swimming over a coral reef in clear aqua water with hundreds of fantastically friendly, colorful fish. I wanted to capture the splendor and radiant, breathtaking beauty of Xel-Ha.
How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
As in all of my art, my carefully laid plans change as my project takes on a life of its own.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
About four years ago my daughter, being disabled due to Multiple Sclerosis, needed a hobby. She wanted to bead. While helping her get started, I became a bead addict myself.
Who introduced you to beading?
I saw an ad in a magazine for beading Christmas ornaments and ordered a kit. Cheryl Ross at Bead Dreamer Studio in Savannah, Georgia encouraged my daughter and me to try jewelry.
Do you have an artistic background?
My mother was a very talented artist and a great encouragement to me. Being a certified florist, I love working with natural elements and have painted most of my life.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
A nice lady in my doctor's office was looking through a catalog and gave it to me when her appointment was finished.
What other hobbies do you have?
Being a florist, I love arranging flowers. I also enjoy painting in acrylics and watercolors and creating with shells and other natural materials.
Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
Yes. Coastal Bead Society and the Landings Art Association offer constant inspiration, continuous learning and great fellowship with other beaders.
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Since retiring, I have more hours to find unlimited ways to express myself with my bead hobby. I find beading to be challenging, relaxing, frustrating, satisfying and rewarding.
If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
My beadwork is shown in various craft and art shows. Fire Mountain's Pearls, Organic Beads and Kato Polyclay™ Contest 2010 is the first I have entered. I would like to join a co-op or gallery.
Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
I donate several pieces throughout the year for charity fundraisers, such as Rotary and Save-A-Life, and design special pieces for cancer awareness.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Join a beading group. Try new styles and techniques. Dare to dream. Take a class. Find your niche and develop it. Most of all, enjoy your work. |
.png)
Create Your Account
