Jewelry Artists

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Kelly Simmons

Regal Elegance
 Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Describe your artistic style.
Free-flowing, eclectic styles, anything that is natural.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I sit back and listen to music. Nothing gets my creative energies flowing faster or more effectively. All I need is some good music and maybe a hot cup of oolong tea.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I enjoy most materials to work with but, if I had to pick a couple it would be silver, glass, diamonds, precious stones and semi-precious stones.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Regal Elegance

What inspired this design?
Music inspired the design of this piece.

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
I pulled it out of the music I was listening to and it just happened.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I think that I was destined to be a jeweler from the very start. Since I can remember I have wanted to be a jeweler. I don't know what got me started exactly, I just have the urge to design jewelry.

Who introduced you to beading?
I guess I would have to say that it was my Auntie Frankie from Georgia. My Auntie Frankie picked up a tackle box with a bunch of costume jewelry in it at a garage sale and sent it to me. The best gift I have EVER received.

Do you have an artistic background?
All of my life I have had an interest in Art of all kinds. I have studied at several colleges and ever since I can remember, I was in some kind of art class. Sometimes I think that I have too much passion for art and even get into trouble with my mom because she wants everything that I make.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
I was working at a survey center and I saw the catalog and almost passed out when I saw everything in it.

What other hobbies do you have?
I enjoy life in general because everything in life has art in it in one form or another.

Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
Currently I do not. There are not any groups like that, that I know of, around where I live.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
I have A.D.H.D. really bad and it seems to help me to focus and I can keep it under control a little easier. I still can't sit for long periods of time, but once I start a piece of jewelry I manage to complete it before I lose interest

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
As of right now I am working on starting a website, but I also sell my crafts to local stores in the surrounding area.

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
I can't say that I have, but it sounds like something that would interest me a great deal.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
I would say to any aspiring jewelry-artists, there is art in everything and everything needs an artist, don't give up or the world will lack. Keep in mind that not all people like the same thing, so create whatever you like and someone is bound to fall in love with it.