Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Jewelry-Making Contest 2011 featuring Seed Beads, Glass or Acrylic
Finalist |
|
Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
Hustonville, Kentucky
Describe your artistic style.
Traditional, hand-beaded Native American inspired.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Family, nature.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Seed beads, the smaller the better.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Shadow Brave Bag
Share Your Background
When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
Several years ago. My husband is a wood carver and we were at a Pow wow in Dover, Tennessee. I asked a gentleman beader that was there to teach me. He taught me a stitch, square stitch, I think. After, I bought books and taught myself many others through lots of trial and error. Since then I have made a lot of progress, sold many pieces at Pow wows across the south east. I love doing large pieces by hand, my largest to date had over 250,000 beads in it, and it is now in a dear friend's private collection.
Who introduced you to beading?
My husband, Gerald.
Do you have an artistic background?
Somewhat.
How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?
Through a friend.
What other hobbies do you have?
My grandkids, pets, travel, and nature.
Beading Success
What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
I bead more than I do house work. I sometimes work on a single piece for weeks and can't seem to stop. There isn't enough time for me to bead all the designs I want to do. I find beading to be very calming, as I am disabled it is an activity than I can still enjoy. I don't consider beading a career because I enjoy doing it so much, although I have made money from beading.
If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
We do alot of Pow wows, craft fairs, eBay, Facebook, and MySpace sales. This is the only beading contest I have ever entered.
Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
Donate to any local fundraisers that ask me.
Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Don't stop trying new things! |
.png)
Create Your Account