|
Licorice Drops Necklace
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Contest 2010
featuring Metal Clay, Metal Beads, Wirework and Chain
Finalist |
|
Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Beachside, Florida
Describe your artistic style.
My artistic style is ever changing to match my creative moods ranging from soft and subtle to outrageous and dramatic.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Colors, especially the tones of nature, appeal to me. Inspiration for my design comes from sights, sounds and textures of surrounding coastal nature; the ocean's cool, sparkling palette, the neutral shades of the sand and seashells and the exciting vivid hues of the exotic flowers and wildlife.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I enjoy experimenting with a variety of materials with unusual shapes and prefer contrasts such as the brilliant sparkle of crystals alongside muted color. It allows for more dimension to my pieces.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Licorice Drops Necklace
What inspired this design?
I fell in love with the intricate, open design and antiqued copper color of the metal components. I immediately visualized how I wanted to piece them together as diamonds with copper jumprings and then embellish the design with jet crystals.
How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
My designs usually start with a sketch, however, I've learned that I cannot force my designs to conform to a drawing, therefore I allow for transformations during the beading process particularly when working with challenging shapes.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
During the spring of 2007 a friend brought me to her favorite local bead shop. It was an experience that would forever change my life and jump-start my jewelry-making career. After completing my first necklace the shop owner said "that's either beginner's luck or you've just found your niche in life." At that point I had fallen in love with beading. The compliment was nice, but more importantly I discovered an inner satisfaction from designing and creating my very own piece of jewelry.
Do you have an artistic background?
I've always been in awe of artists and the results of their creativity. Over the years I have used a number of art mediums but none held my interest for more than a few months until I tried jewelry-making.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
Shortly after making my first necklace, I quickly learned that I would love to find a way to make this new, exciting hobby affordable. I searched the web for beading materials and discovered Fire Mountain Gems and Beads and was astonished at the huge selection with a range of prices to fit every budget.
What other hobbies do you have?
My eclectic interests include research into psychic dreaming, scouring thrift shops for antiques and unusual beading items, writing and over thirty years experience in the field of graphology.
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Jewelry-making plays a significant role in balancing my life. It helps me to break through my more conservative outer shell and allows me to tap into my inner free-spirited side of creativity. It is my goal and desire to transform my part-time home-based jewelry business, Sudman Design, into a career with a beading shop of my own one day.
If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
Currently the sales from my part-time home-based business help to replenish my beading supplies.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
My advice to other jewelry artists is to never give up if you are passionate about beading and designing. Most of us are our own critics. Believe in yourself and trust your instincts because opportunities will surface with a positive outlook. |
.png)
Create Your Account
