My First
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads'
Jewelry-Making Contest 2010
featuring Gemstones
Bronze Medal Prize Winner
Category: Bracelet |
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Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Describe your artistic style.
I like to work with a variety of techniques and styles.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Just about anything.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Stones, crystals, seed beads. I love how you can take seed beads and turn them into anything. With so much variety in stitches and patterns, it never gets boring.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
I called it
My First as it was my first beaded cuff and my first contest to Fire Mountain Gems.
What inspired this design?
I had been wanting to make an embroidered cuff for a while and really wanted to use this amethyst stone I had.
How did it come together?
I'm not much of a planner. I usually have a hard time picking out colors, but this time everything just seemed to fall into place.
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I've always liked Native American beadworks, so in my early 20s I took a class on loomwork that the Oneida Nation was offering.
Who introduced you to beading?
I basically introduced myself when I took the class on loomwork, but they also had a bead circle group and I met a woman there who introduced me to a whole new world of beadwork.
Do you have an artistic background?
No, but I have always had an interest in beadwork.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
Through other bead artists I have met.
What other hobbies do you have?
Exercising, reading and gardening.
Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
Yes. I go to two bead groups. One is at the Oneida Education Center and another meets every Wednesday at the Goodwill store.
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
I barely have any free time, so for now it is a hobby, but it is absolutely fun making one of a kind jewelry and gifts.
If you use jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I don't do any of those things, as my time is so limited. This is my second contest.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
You can do it. So many beginners say ''I can't'' or ''I'll never be that good,'' and once they find some stitch they love, they find that they can. |