|
Mother of Pearl
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Contest 2010
featuring Seed Beads
Finalist |
|
Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Aloha, Oregon
Describe your artistic style.
My artistic style is contemporary traditional. I grew up near Philadelphia, surrounded by traditional architecture and art, which I love. Over time, contemporary influence has crept into my art, blending with the traditional.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
That's a tough one. Sometimes, it's a bead or a button, other times a color. Often I'm designing for an outfit or particular person. Other jewelry artists definitely inspire me.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Seed beads, rice pearls and crystals.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Mother of Pearl
What inspired this design?
I started with the mother-of-pearl cabochons and beads. The design was meant to showcase them and complement them.
How did it come together?
I had a basic idea when I started, but no firm plans. I wanted to create movement and flow from one large element to another, without the design becoming overly busy.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I started making earrings over 20 years ago, after a visit to Portland's Saturday market.
Who introduced you to beading?
I am basically self-taught. The first artist to inspire me on beaded collars is Serafini, although I have never met her.
Do you have an artistic background?
My mother is an extremely creative person, very artistically gifted, best known for her quilting. We lived near the Wyeth family and I saw a lot of their painting when I was growing up. I love Andrew Wyeth's work.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
A magazine advertisement. I loved the idea of supporting an Oregon business!
What other hobbies do you have?
Photography, card making, quilting, scrapbooking, gardening, reading, music and bird watching.
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Jewelry-making is a serious hobby and part-time money maker for me. If I want some earrings to match something specific, I make them. My family and friends get most of my work, which is always designed especially for that person.
If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I have a Etsy store; ''andreagoo.etsy.com.'' I also sell to friends locally. Most of my work goes out as a gift.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Read, take classes and learn, learn, learn! Be fearless and expect to make mistakes. Find a good local bead shop. Check out loads of info and demonstration video's online. |
.png)
Create Your Account
