Linda S. Martin

Linda S. Martin

Wild West Cowgirl
Bronze Medal Prize Winner in the Freeform Expression: Fashion Accessories and Cloth cateogry
2009 Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Jewelry-Making Contest

Meet the Designer-Artist

Where do you live?
Portland, Oregon

Describe your artistic style.
Big and loud.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Beautiful things.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I love to try new things. If I see a beautiful piece of jewelry or clothing, I like knowing, ''I can do that.'' I prefer natural stones and silver.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Wild West Cowgirl

What inspired this design?
I loved the whole Wild West show era. The women who had the money to go against tradition and ride astride like men instead of sidesaddle.

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
I got a lot of books with old pictures and then styles just fell together.

Share Your Background

When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
Around 1990.

Who introduced you to beading?
My mother.

Do you have an artistic background?
No, pretty much self-taught.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
A friend told me about Fire Mountain Gems.

What other hobbies do you have?
Showing horses.

Beading Success

What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
It relieves stress and keeps me from eating too much.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I have a few pieces in my horse equipment store.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Do your own thing, make yourself happy.

View Linda's bronze-winning design in the Gallery of Designs.