Arlene Taylor

White Wedding Crystal Necklace
Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Euless, Texas

Describe your artistic style.
Free form bead embroidery.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I am inspired by nature. I love the play of color and abstract designs I find in natural stones.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I like to combine natural stone focal beads with intricate seed bead and crystal embellishments.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
White Wedding Crystal Necklace

What inspired this design?
The Quartz Crystal focal stone is the inspiration for this piece.

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
I started by collecting a variety of white beads and pearls from my stash. Then I worked out the basic shape of the piece and fit the beads to the shapes and spaces.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I started playing with bead designs in 2006 just for fun.

Who introduced you to beading?
I learned from various library books and bead magazines.

Do you have an artistic background?
Yes, I am a visual artist working in pastels and oils. I also do some 3D work in clay.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
I saw the Fire Mountain ads in Bead and Button Magazine.

What other hobbies do you have?
I like to create garden designs when I am not painting or beading.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
I do jewelry for fun and relaxation. It helps me unwind and I listen to books on CD while I bead. I would like to find an outlet to sell since I make more than I can wear.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I have posted my Jewelry on Arlenezart.ETSY.com. I haven't figured out how to start the sales coming in. I have won First Place this year in the American Airlines on My Own Time art show. My Necklace White Wedding Crystal is on my ETSY site. I participated in the Convergence Project that Bead and Button Magazine sponsored to combine a Lampwork Bead maker and a jewelry designer.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
You need to have fun while you follow your passion. If you are not inspired and passionate about your work, it will be mundane.