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Wildflower Garden
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Contest 2010 featuring Metal Clay, Metal Beads, Wirework and Chain
Finalist |
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Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Describe your artistic style.
Eclectic, vibrant, varied.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Pictures, other art, shapes, beads, I use all sorts of sources for inspiration.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Wire, though it's hard to say some days! I love making jewelry and using new, old and non-traditional methods to create jewelry.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Wildflower Garden Necklace
What inspired this design?
The lampwork bead. I have been trying to expand my color palette and the flower, created by Los Alamos, has a rich color palette.
How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
This design took days to fully develop. It started with the beads and wire, then the creation of the curved beaded sections. Then the leaves in wire, clasp and wiring of the centerpiece.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
My godparents gave me my first seed beads when I was in elementary school. I took jewelry making in both middle and high school, but the only technique that I could do at home was the wirework.
Who introduced you to beading?
My godparents.
Do you have an artistic background?
I am a music teacher, but have always enjoyed many arts, including painting, ceramics and sculpture and many crafts, such as stamping, crochet, tatting, quilting and more. I also worked at Sea of Beads in Lakeville, Minn. Working at Sea of Beads in Lakeville, Minn. was very inspiring. The huge variety of materials was very inspiring, but also the owners would ask employees to make pieces using specific materials to promote them. It was always a fun challenge when I was asked to make something.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
Online! One of the first companies I ordered beads from.
What other hobbies do you have?
Too many to count! All sorts if crafts and arts.
Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
Yes, Beader Babes of Los Alamos.
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Jewelry is a hobby, but one that I am also able to share with my community. I do sell quite a bit, but it is more about having a creative outlet.
If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I do so much beading that I have a store in my home! This was the first beading contest I've entered.
Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
I provide materials to the crazy crafters group at my school, which I direct. They have supported the American Cancer Society and adopted a family for the holidays so far.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Learn all you can! Talk to and bead with others. Work at a bead store to learn and also to make your art affordable for you. |
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