Artist: Nancy Peterson
Location: The Poconos, Pennsylvania

Website & Blog:
Patterns of my designs
Beading Blog

Nancy, how do you describe your work?
I think that my first love of style of beading is beadweaving. I love to learn new stitches and then take them, create and explore new possibilities. There are some that I find myself coming back to, like the various forms of peyote.

What is your creative process like?
Having two sons, my creative process can be quite chaotic. I may have an idea for a piece but then I only get to work on it in small spurts between …read more

Artist: Krystal Backer
Business name: MonkeyBuns
Location: Mason City, Iowa

Websites & Blog:
MonkeyBuns etsy shop
MonkeyBuns facebook
Krystal Backer blog

Krystal, how do you describe your work…and why MonkeyBuns?
MonkeyBuns is my son’s nickname. I started making jewelry when I was up to feed him at night so it seemed only natural to name my business after him. I would describe my work as unique and on the cuff of being outside the box.
What is your creative process like?
I have a few ways of working. Some times I make sketches of projects if they come up at a weird time like just before bed. …read more

Artist: Doug Frates
Website: Doug Frates
Usually I profile glass artists who make wearables on this site, but I had to make an exception for Doug, because as you’ll see, his work is exceptional in every way! I think you’ll really enjoy reading what he has to say about his artwork, his process, and his business tips!  He stresses how much hard work goes into building a successful business, and that is true in any creative field.

Doug, how did you decide to simply use your name for your business?
I picked the name of the business because as a High End artist …read more

Artist: Lea Avroch
Business name: LA Jewelry Designs
Location: Long Island, NY
Websites & Blogs:
http://www.lajewelrydesigns.com
http://www.lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com
http://www.lajewelrydesigns.etsy.com
http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com
http://twitter.com/lajewelrydesign

Lea, your beads are beautiful!  How do you describe your work?
I make handmade wearable glass art and unique jewelry. I started out as a jewelry maker (self taught), mostly stringing and simple wire work and most recently to beadweaving. I’ve always been fascinated with glass. I have a collection of some lovely art glass sculptures in my home so when I saw that a local art league was offering lampwork classes, I quickly signed up. It was a beginner class, which gave me the basics. I since have taken …read more

Artist: Lorena Angulo
Website:
Lorena Angulo
Lorena, when did you become interested in art?
I was born in Mexico, and due to my father’s job in public works we had to frequently move from state to state, what gave me the unique opportunity to grasp the various cultural and artistic expressions of the different regions of Mexico and our Spanish and Indian heritage. That unique experience help me develop my deep love for Art, and to see all the various types of art created by different artisans was amazing. Mostly for me the traditional jewelry wore by the native Indians in …read more

Artist: Jamee Jones
Business name: Jonara Blu Maui
Location: Makawao, Hawaii
Websites & Blog:
http://www.jonarablumaui.com
http://jonarablu.etsy.com
http://www.jonarablumaui.blogspot.com/

How do you describe your work, Jamee?
Fresh and Funky with an island twist. I also create romantic, feminine beach bride jewelry that has a beachy-organic appeal.
Originally my sister Kimberlee Aihara partnered with me before she became a wedding photographer here on Maui and so Jonara is a mix of our last names: Jones and Aihara. Add the Blu to represent the blue ocean that surrounds us and we’ve got ourselves a cute little name for our jewelry business!
What is your creative process like?
I think creating is …read more

Artist: Puakea Soares-Mercado
Business Names: Jewelry by Reshell and Stone & Bone
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Websites:
http://www.jewelrybyreshell.etsy.com
http://www.stoneandbone.etsy.com
http://www.creativecaldron.etsy.com
Blogs:
http://www.blacklightningstudiogallery.blogspot.com
http://www.jewelrybyreshell.blogspot.com
http://www.stoneandbone.blogspot.com
http://www.galleriaoffineart.blogspot.com

How do you describe your work?
I have two shops that I passionately divide my time designing for. My first shop on Etsy.com is Jewelry by Reshell. I’d say it’s my more modern contemporary urban styled boutique. with a flare for old classic styles and trends, with a touch of my own modern twist.
My second shop is called Stone & Bone, which is a tribally styled native inspired collection, incorporating bits and pieces of traditional …read more

Fine Silver Link, Pearl, and Crystal Earrings
Artist: Tammy Powley
Location: South Florida
Website & Blog:
About.com Jewelry Making
Crafty Princess Diaries
[Editor's note - As the Jewelry Making guide at About.com, Tammy provides many projects for her readers.  She has graciously chosen images to share with you for which there are instructions!!  The link is below each picture.  Thanks so much, Tammy!]
Tammy, how do you describe your work?
My jewelry designs are usually petite and practical. I like to make jewelry that I find comfortable to wear, and I’m too klutzy to wear anything overly large. While I don’t totally “diss,” trends, I lean more towards …read more

Strawberry and banana ring
Artist: Kerry Wilkinson
Business name: PennyDog Jewellery
Location: Leicestershire, UK
Website & Blog:
PennyDog
PennyDog blog
Kerry wrote a fabulous Artist Profile over on Layers Upon Layers a couple of weeks ago.  Although I posted her there as a mixed media artist, I thought you all would be interested in her work as well since it’s jewelry.  So here’s the link  
Artist Profile with Kerry Wilkinson 

Dichroic three hinge silver encased pendant with sterling silver curved tubes, Czech glass beads and sterling silver lobster claw clasp
Artist: Karen Leslie
Website:
The Jewelry Collection by Karen Leslie

Chunky Amethyst nugget beads with fancy Bali saucer beads and spacers with a fancy toggle clasp
Karen, how do you describe your work?
My designs consist of one of a kind and limited edition pieces. I pride myself on the ability to find individual, distinctive and truly unique components to incorporate into my designs to make a special creation. My designs are contemporary and timeless and can go with any outfit.

Lapis rectangle center stone …read more