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Caribbean Starfish
Butterflies Dreams
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Contest 2010
featuring Pearls, Organic Beads and
Kato Polyclay™
Finalist |
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Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Miami, Florida
Describe your artistic style.
I think is very organic with a lot of movement. I like to wire wrap a lot of beads and then hang them so the piece moves with you. I also design always with the idea that you can layer different pieces together. I definitely like to make pieces BIG and BOLD!
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Color and texture. I buy generally materials that catch my attention because of the color, shape, roughness, transparency, etc., without knowing what I'm going to make. Then when I have it in my hands and feel it, I try to translate the image that comes to my mind in to a piece. For example, Kyanite brings to me the idea of flowing water so as a result I always mix it with clear quartz, pearls or shells and sea creatures in sterling silver for an 'under the water' creation.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I use as a base sterling silver and gemstones and other natural materials like shells, horn, bone, leather and silk.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Caribbean Starfish
What inspired this design?
The Coral Reef.
How did it come together?
I just love that hill tribes big starfish and I imagine it is floating with corals and shells in a coral reef somewhere by the Caribbean Sea.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I'm a busy mother of two, and before having my kids I used to paint with acrylics and oils and do all sort of crafts (sewing, embroidery, pottery, scrap-booking...). One day I spotted in a fashion magazine a big necklace that I loved and I thought to myself "I think I can do something similar to this!" So I did it. My friends started asking me to do that necklace for them, so I did a few and sold them very quickly. When I started working with my hands again and saw an extra income coming doing something that I LOVE I couldn't stop. Now you can see me at soccer practice or at play-dates in the Park with my little plastic box full of pins and beads wire-wrapping!
Who introduced you to beading?
I learned about the basics out of books from the Library and beading magazines.
Do you have an artistic background?
Yes, I used to paint with oils and acrylics and sold my paintings in Peru, were I was born and grow up.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
On a beading magazine.
What other hobbies do you have?
After the house and my kids there is NO TIME! Sometimes I sew dresses for my daughter and her dolls.
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Actually it is a part-time career and an activity that brings me a lot of joy, it is a great escape for my creativity.
If you use jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I have a website (carolinagarcia.com) and also a page in Facebook (carolina garcia jewels/Facebook). I'm building right now a page in ETSY too. I attend school craft fairs in my area and make also a Breakfast-Open House for my friends and customers every season to show new pieces. A Hotel and Spa in Miami sells my work on a consignment basis (15 pieces per month).
Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
Always. A charity event is a win/win situation because I'm supporting a cause sharing a piece and at the same time the publicity of my name is tied with a very positive vibe.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Follow your inspiration and find your style, never copy, dare to be different.
View all of Carolina's designs in the Gallery of Designs. |
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