Artist: Geneviève Crabe
Business name: Amaryllis Creations
Location: St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Websites & Blogs:
Amaryllis Creations
Amaryllis Creations etsy shop
Crafters’ Internet
Geneviève Crabe blog

I would describe my work as bold, colourful, eclectic wearable art. I get my inspiration from everything from flowers to architecture; everywhere I look, I see shapes, patterns, and colours to incorporate in my work. I enjoy learning new things so I read books and take classes in a variety of subjects including painting, beading, bead embroidery, polymer clay, and mixed media. I enjoy the cross-pollination that happens, and I like to incorporate a variety of components in my work: hand-painted wood, pen & ink, glass, beads, fibers, Kumihimo braids, etc.

My mother was an artist, and I have been surrounded by arts and crafts my whole life. While I enjoyed artistic pursuits in my spare time, after a 30-year career in hi-tech, I now enjoy being a full-time artist. An important part of my artistic life involves networking with other artists. I belong to three local art guilds, and I attend as many bead shows and decorative painting conventions as I can. I find that just being around other artists, whatever their medium, is very inspirational. I also enjoy teaching, which is often a learning experience for me, and more recently creating and selling kits and handmade jewelry.

I also like sharing my knowledge through writing and I have two published books under my belt. In 2001, I combined my computer and crafting skills in a book titled Crafters’ Internet Handbook: Research, Connect, and Sell your Crafts Online. I am now working on The Crafters’ Internet 2.0, a blog dedicated to informing crafters about resources available to them online.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

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 helping and taking care of them. Every now and then I will sit down and just bead while they are watching a show. Those are usually my longest spurts of beading. It is hard sometimes when I want to work on a larger project to break it down into the time slots that I have available. Of course when I get toward the end of the project, it is hard to remember to do the other things that I NEED to do, lol.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I don’t have any “formal” training in beadwork. I started by doing simple stringing and was hooked. I wanted to make a piece of jewelry for a friend who was getting married and decided that I should expand my repertoire of beading skills. I started to buy patterns and follow along. This built up a lot of the skills that I use now. A good friend, seeing some of the things that I dabbled with on my own, encouraged me to start to write up patterns for what I was doing. I guess the rest, as they say, is history.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
I love seed beads and Swarovski crystals. Give me a bunch with a needle and thread and I am ready to go.

What inspires you to create?
Other bead artists inspire me. I like to take in what someone else has done and explore their process of putting things together. It helps me to learn new skills and pick up little “tricks” that help make the process easier.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
My advice is to just keep at it. Don’t be afraid to learn something new. Life is all about learning and adapting and incorporating. Use what you know, add to it and share it!

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
I would have to say my family. We have two upper elementary age boys and they keep me on my toes. My youngest son is very interested in my beadwork. He likes to help pick colors and often likes to sit down and bead himself.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

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. Mostly I see the finished piece in my head and go from there. Sometimes the piece ends up the way I saw it in my head sometimes not. I usually have the TV on when I’m working but find I’m a lot more productive if I listen to music. I especially find I’m creative when listening to the Beatles or 90’s music. I tend to work on a project of a span of time. I work 2 jobs and have a son so as much I as wish I had hours on end to create I just don’t.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I am as self taught as I can be using other people’s tutorials. I have not taken any formal classes although I’d love to. I never set out to become a jewelry designer I just originally wanted something to do when after I was done feeding my son in the middle of the night. I lack the ability to just go back to sleep after waking up. Eventually there came a time when I had to many jewelry pieces so I started selling them.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
The one tool I depend on a lot is my bead trays. My favorite material is Delica Beads.

What inspires you to create?
My son mostly inspires me. He’s very artistic himself and his energy really inspires me. I find inspiration in other random things like nature or a floor rug. Being an artist tends to make me look at things different.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
I am very lucky that I belong to a great group on Etsy, JETS. This group of ladies is just awesome about helping each other get through our frustrations and disappointments.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
I would tell them that the first year is rough. No matter how great of a product you have it takes time to get seen in the sea of other great artist. You have to be willing to market yourself other wise you’ll drown in that sea.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
My son is a huge priority in my life. I spend as much time with him as I can which often means that I don’t get time to create until he goes to bed. I also work so that takes up a lot of my time.

What’s your favorite comfort food?
My favorite comfort food is food my mom made me while I was growing up.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

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 I felt that being a brand with my name is really the only way to go. You speak to so many companies that started in a different name and wish they used their name. It just makes it more recognizable like a signature (no arrogance involved).

What is your creative process like?
The creative process happens by sitting down and coming up with a functional series. I will draw a picture where ever I am my sketch book follows me almost everywhere and from the take the creativity from past experiences and pieces to create new pieces that still have my signature look and appeal. I like my work too not only be fun and creative but festive and usable. The pieces that are created should be enjoyable “conversation piece” and I like them to bring a little brightness to the Collectors day.

When I work it is either for a commission or for product so I pretty much work seven days a week either in my studio or in the shop. Both are different processes. It just depends on how I can plan or budget my time.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
My experience primarily comes form a Man out of Tucson Arizona named Tom Philabaum. He not only gave me the opportunity to learn but also really made me learn the basics. Through this process his staff made me a firm believer in learning the basics in glassblowing. The basics in turn help you to be more creative because you learn how to manipulate the different consistencies of glass itself. I also served in the Marines From 2001 to 2009 partially in the reserve’s and Spend a year in Iraq during the invasion as Part of the first marine divisions push. This gave me the discipline to learn how to actually blow glass at a professional level.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
When times are tough I remain doing the things that work because I know that things will turn around but just don’t know when. To make it in this business you just have to work a little harder. Many people think that artist are “lazy” and the live a free life style. But reality at least from my perspective you are really working almost all the time. Whether it be traveling, Packing, Producing, and Getting new clients and so on. Sure you get gratification but sometimes the work is just work. There is a major difference between being a hobbyist a professional.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
My advice for those who want to rise to a different level are go out there and get it. It is not just going to happen for you. Be yourself and try to find somebody that is a SUCCESSFUL (There are plenty that are not for some reason) artist that can train you and pay you. But typically they are not going to find you. As artists we tend to be passive and not aggressive but the art industry is a dog eat dog world and if you want to succeed you need to go get it yourself. You need to learn from your mistakes try to make the right decisions for you and what might benefit you and make yourself better. Pulling the trigger is hard but learn form your experiences especially in this economy.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
Real work for my company and how to better my company For example I do everything like packing shipping, paperwork, PR, and producing. It is hard work. And not very much fun sometimes but that is part of life. It can’t always be fun. That is what my time is pretty much spent doing.

What’s your favorite comfort food and other activities?
My favorite food is whatever is in the fridge; my favorite books are The Dove by Robin Lee Graham and, It’s Not about the bike by Lance Armstrong. I tend to read more motivational stories and stories about perseverance. Real life, interests me. My favorite color is all that uniquely collaborate. Favorite hobby, enjoying new experiences.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

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 2 additional classes at Beadfest Philly for working with boro glass. I wish there were more local classes to take advantage of.

I had a very hard time coming up with a business name I liked. LA are my initials. Pretty simple when you think about it. And Jewelry Designs is fairly self explanatory, though I have expanded beyond just jewelry making.

What is your creative process like?
I first decide which COE (coefficient of expansion) glass I want to work in that day. It’s important to keep glass of different COE’s from getting mixed up or the beads will crack. COE is really just a measure of the rate at which a particular type of glass expands when heated. When you have glass expanding at different rates, the beads will crack, which is something you want to avoid at all costs. Imagine spending all that time shaping & decorating a bead only to have it crack….not a good thing.

After that, I sometimes have a particular style bead that I want to work on, but more often that not, I just let the glass “talk to me”. I’m not particularly fond of making sets, preferring to let my creativity flow, creating one of a kind beads. Though, oftentimes when making a particular bead that I like and picturing how nice it would look in a necklace design for instance along with others in the same style, I’ll just get into a zen like mode & fire off dozens of the same bead. This is where having the jewelry making background comes in handy as well.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I took a basic lampwork class at a local art league….and I do mean basic. LOL! But it helped me get over my fear of how to light the torch, taught safety precautions and some basic beadmaking techniques. I knew from the start that I loved working with glass so I saved my pennies & as soon as I was able to, I went out & bought whatever equipment I needed. I joined several lampwork forums & poured over the all the information. I found some great tutorials and just went ahead and played. I find it a fun medium to work with because it’s ever changing & you have no choice but to try new things. Even if a particular session doesn’t turn out well, I still learn a lot, whether it’s how certain colors react together or how to shape my beads better.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
Great question. With lampwork, there are several tools that are required, but I just love my torch. Since working with boro, I upgraded to a “big girl torch” that has an inner ring and an outer ring that’s helpful for larger pieces. And though I don’t often work that large, there have been numerous times when I’ve found myself turning on the outer rings to get that extra boost of heat needed for a design.

What inspires you to create?
I love working with all the different colors of glass available today. I find that for me, the glass itself is what influences my work. There are many new silver infused glass rods that are currently on the market that create beautiful special effects, which I love to experiment with. And then using tools in different ways to get special effects. It’s all fun!

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
Knowing that tomorrow is another day. Some torch sessions I can do no wrong & others I can do no right even if I’m trying to duplicate a bead I’ve already made. So, though some days are very frustrating, I simply love seeing the outcome the following day when the kiln has cooled down. Even if the bead doesn’t come out as planned, I may come across a new color reaction that I can use in subsequent beads.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
PPP (practice, practice, practice), which is something I still need to do a LOT more of!

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
I love to read and have recently taken up knitting again. And, of course the internet.

What’s your favorite comfort food?
Chocolate is the hands down winner. I wish I liked dark at least, but I never developed a taste for it. I love milk chocolate with some almonds or caramel or both. YUM!

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

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 South Mexico, Chiapas and Oaxaca, are my favorites.

How were you introduced to metal clay?
I was introduced to metal clay by a wonderful Artist Jeweler and Teacher in San Antonio, Claire Holliday, in 2006 at the Southwest School of Art. Since that day I fell in love with this great medium. Metal Clay opened the door to a lot of people without silver smithing background to create jewelry.

Metal Clay gives me the freedom to create a piece in such a short time, for me that is incredible, it is like magic!

How would you describe your art work?
My art work is a one-of-a-kind jewelry that transmits a feeling and a story, mostly influenced by my Mexican heritage. It is simple, but at the same time is full of delicate details that enhance the beauty and uniqueness of the piece.

Every piece has its own personality. My work is very artisanal and folk art influenced.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
Working with Metal Clay (Precious metal clay or Bronze clay) the needle tool is something that I can not live without. Most of my work has a lot of detail that I created using the needle tool.

Where do your ideas come from?
From my cultural heritage and influences from Mexico. I really like to create art that represents my culture and that gives people a story in every piece I make. I’m very influenced by all sources of folk art that express a cultural heritage giving me the opportunity to add “soul” to my work.

Would you tell us about your creative process?
My first step in creating something is to draw it in my design book as soon as I have an idea. I always carry my book with me because I never know when an idea may pop up. But most of my creating happens in the moment I have the metal clay in my hands. I let my feelings take over and I do not stop until my piece is finished.

Sometimes I start with an idea but while working with the metal clay the original idea may be modified, and I end up with a piece totally different than the one I was planning to do. In my case the creative process is very magical and natural. I loved to listen to music while I am working on my studio. The music is usually a mixture of latin american artists, folk Music and english singers ;-}.

What has been your favorite project, to date, in your career?
Wow, that is hard to say. I always think that I have the “favorite” piece but as soon as I make a new one that feeling changes. Every piece to me is special, but if I have to say one in particular, it will be my first Milagro Heart pendant I made last year. It was my first big piece and when I finished it I fell in love with it. It was very hard to let her go to her new home when it was bought at a gallery in Kerville, Texas last year, but it was very comforting to know that the new owner happens to be a
person who really appreciates artisanal works and its uniqueness.

What certifications/honors have you received?

Rio Grande Master Artisan Certification, my work has been featured in the “2008 PMC Guild Annual II , Exceptional work in Precious Metal Clay” book and in the coming book from Barbara Becker Simon, “Metal Clay Beads” that will be publish in April 2009, one of my pieces is going to be on the Gallery section of the book.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
Knowing that at the end the work will be finish and more beautiful that I ever thought.

Sometimes the pieces that get tough end up being the best pieces. It is like we always said in Mexico:
“Cuando te caen limones acidos, ponle azucar y haz limonada”
“When you get sour lemons , mixed them with sugar and make lemonade”

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry
To not be afraid and enjoy doing what you are doing. Be the best cheerleader of your work.

Everything that has been made with your own hands deserves respect and a lot of love and confidence.

Since the moment you created something with your hands, you have to consider yourself an artist.

Art does not have limits. Reading books and looking for new techniques all the time it is also very important.

We need to be open to learn new things and experiment.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
My two beautiful kids, Christian (10) and Veronica (6), and my awesome husband Jorge who supports my art a lot and has been the best cheerleader of my work. He was the first one to tell me that what I was doing was beautiful and that I needed to promote my work and called myself an artist.

I am blessed to have the family I have and very fortunate after all we went through with our beautiful daughter that was born three months early with only 1 Lb 11 oz. She is our miracle baby and the best teacher we all have that perseverance paid off very good at the end. Both my kids are my inspiration to always move forward and enjoy life at its best.

What are some of your other favorite things, including your favorite comfort food?
Of course, Mexican Food!!!! But the real Mexican food not the tacos with lots of yellow cheese and sour cream. ‘-}

The authentic Mexican food takes me to my childhood and I am happy to feed my kids with the same foods I used to eat.

I loved the food that my husband makes too!!! He is from Argentina and makes amazing things that our kids enjoyed too.

Book: Right now I am reading, “Three cups of tea” by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin. This is for my personal reading ;-} I love to read anything but lately I have been buying a lot of technique and workshop books relate it to silversmithing, jewelry making, enameling, Precious Metal Clay, Resin, Mixed media jewelry and I am waiting for the first book about Bronzclay ;-}.

Color: I am a rainbow person. I Like all the colors of the rainbow ;-} and if they are bright better for me.

Other hobbies: I make Folk Art and metal embossed pieces.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

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 quite emotional for me..I really have to be in the mood to design my most favorite pieces that I’m extremely proud of. At times like that it’s usually late at night when I’m way over tired and I become inspired by color and the music on one of my playlists. I find putting together a piece to be sort of like a puzzle…finding the right balance between color and shape is very exhilarating and leads to more creative ideas. It often takes me from days to weeks to complete a piece as I come back and rearrange beads until it finally looks right to me.

When in that ‘design mode’ you will find bead containers stacked all around me and probably 20-30 different strands and little piles of single beads strewn across my beading area. I end up using not even half of them when I finally make a decision. Usually whilst in the middle of deciding on what looks best for one idea I had..I often get inspired by the beads themselves and stick aside my original idea for another time because the excitement from the new idea is begging to be done right then and there.

Of course being surrounded by such amazing beauty here on the island of Maui goes with out saying..it’s a constant inspiration that is always there for me to pull from. The many brightly colorful flowers are a big inspiration, the ocean and it’s sea life and especially beach weddings. They really inspire me and have allowed me the opportunity to create jewelry for many of Maui’s blushing brides as well as other beach brides around the world.

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I started creating my first jewelry pieces when only 9 years old. I had this babysitter named Jenny who watched me and my brother on Monday nights while our mom and dad were at lamaz classes preparing for our little sister Kimberlee to arrive. Jenny would bring this shoe box over full of little bottles of beads and findings and she would teach me how to make necklaces. I was in heaven! At the end of the last day she watched us she gave me the whole box of beads! I still vividly remember the excitement I felt as the new owner of those tiny colorful candy-like wonders and I often pull that memory out when my hobby has started to feel a little too much like work.

And I am both happy and proud to say that is exactly what my hobby has become…my job! In 1996 I started working for a local Maui ceramic jewelry artist. Having taken many art classes and having the knack for painting, I picked up right away on how to paint intricate designs on ceramic beads for this artist. I was also trained how to string the very well made heavy jewelry designs that this artist sold in local galleries. Having learned a little about the business side of jewelry making and being constantly inspired with new ideas for my own line, in 2002 along with my sister Kimberlee (because of course I taught her all about beading as a kid), I branched out on my own, selling at local craft fairs. May of 2003 I launched my online shop through RubyLane and since then I have added my Etsy shop and have enjoyed becoming part of the Etsy community. My sister Kimberlee left the world of jewelry making a few years ago to pursue her very successful wedding photography business.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
I cannot imagine living without pearls…they really speak volumes of time and natural beauty and are a lovely reminder of the sea. My other favorite is Hill Tribe silver sea creature and ocean themed beads and charms.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
Besides what I mentioned above..just remembering my original excitement for the craft and fascination of beads themselves..some of the other things that inspire me to keep going is seeing what others have created, hearing how much people enjoy my pieces, the friendship it’s brought me from meeting fellow beaders and getting to know special customers, and also the ability to help my family out financially. Sometimes when I need a real kick in the pants I look over my work and accomplishments as a reminder to what I am capable of.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Well I am kind of all over the place and have a hard time focusing when it comes to learning new things. So I would have to say take a class if you can..it helps you to focus. I collect tutorials and purchase videos and can’t seem to ever actually sit down and do it. A class has set a definite appointment for you to spend time on that new aspect of your craft..plus it’s fun and inspiring to spend a few hours w/ others interested in the same thing.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
I would have to say my family and spending time with them. While creating it’s easy to bury myself in my studio and not come out for hours..but I have made it a point to always spend family time throughout the day. Family time is addicting..so I often find that I have to pull myself away from them to get back into beading mode again!

What are some of your other favorite things?
Comfort food: Chocolate…Dark…always gotta have dark chocolate! My favorite color believe it or not since I was 5 years old was black. I used to get teased in school about coloring w/ the black crayon and told that only boys liked that. I liked other colors too, but I liked the way black made the color look. I remember my kindergarten teacher showing my mom a picture I colored. We all had to color a star…my star was black with multiple colored flowers growing out of it and evidentally the teacher thought it was pretty nifty. Since then my tastes have changed and I can’t say I really have a favorite color…I love them all and how each one can have an effect on the other. One of my favorites to work with though is brown…I like to put it along with a bright color combination.

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

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 materials as well as spiritual symbolisms, and giving it an abstract, yet metaphoric modern twist to my ancestral lineage.

I first had only Jewelry by Reshell, as my main platform for exhibiting and selling my jewelry. But being the Gemini that I am, One was just not enough. Plus, because my style and range varies according to my moods, and materials that I’m in love with at the time, I just needed another venue to support my native work, that’s when my second shop Stone & Bone was born.

I chose to separate my jewelry styles so that my target audiences could have an easier time navigating through thousands of jewelry sites. Keeping it simple and easy to locate, is half the battle of selling on the web.

What kind of training did you have which helped you to achieve your current level of artistry?
I’m a self created artist on all disciplines that I love to do. I’ve been drawing, painting, and beading since I was 4 years old. I can’t imagine my life with out arts and crafts, all of them. I’m an addicted artist, no matter what the medium I’m working with. It consumes me. As far as being a professional and making a living off of what I do, I’ve sold my work from the start. I always wanted to be in business for myself, and art was and still is the vehicle to my success. My jewelry business on Etys.com has giving me more exposure and venues to reach farther, and has allowed me to make contacts with other professional in the field, that has helped me to grow even more.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
Oh yes, I can’t imagine my work as a jewelry designer with out wire. I’m just crazy about all things wire. It’s the most amazing material to work with. My work has taken a whole new life since I’ve incorporated wire into my designs. I see it now as a means to create more structural pieces, where as before, I felt my work was limited and lifeless. Let me not forget, my most favorite tool of all is my ring mandrel, with out it there’s no way I could create My Chunky Dinner Ring Collection. Trust me when I say without it I would be lost.

What inspires you to create?
Ah, alas I’m an artist, it’s who I am. If I didn’t create, my life would cease to exist.. It’s in every thing I do. I know I sound so dramatic, but there’s never been a day that goes by that I don’t create some form of artwork. To me life it’s self is inspiration. I’m an artist, I can be no other.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
I’m not one to give advice, or seldom take it. Unless I truly feel it in my bones. But what I tell myself everyday is , “Girl, you’re very luck to be able to do what you do. Love it, live it, and most of all share it with whoever wishes to be apart of the process. That’s all that matters, the rest will take care of it’s self.” Life finds away to make it happen, and passion fuels the rest.

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
My work does get stressful at times. But I’m the one putting the stress on myself. I’m my worst enemy or my greatest alley. I’ve learned to step back and let it be (the Beatles had it right), and it’s worked itself out every time.

What takes up the majority of your time?
My family, I’m a wife, a mom, and a grandma. I love my family all very much. But they know if I’m busy working on a project to give me my space. They know if I’m not doing me, which is my artwork, I’m not going to be able to be good for them. Because it’s been my work as an artist and designer that provides for my family, and they understand that.

In closing I just wanted to say, In loving who I am, my work has improved, finding my niche and following my heart has shown me that anything is possible. I have high standards for my work, but I also know that the moment doesn’t always turn out the way I envisioned. It’s turned out better. So do what you do and love every minute of what you do, and the rest will follow.

The work shown:
Free Bird Beaded Embroidered Choker: My Native American lineage inspired this women’s beaded choker, with back stitch applique. I used an array of diffrent sized beads, cabochons, and light beige ultra suede for it’s backing. This piece is light wight and fit’s small to medium women’s neck. Available @ Jewelry by Reshell

Spanish Moss Copper Wire Cuff Bracelet: This definitely one of a kind copper bracelet, was inspired by the play of wire and the diffrent gauges. I loved the way the colors and tones emphasized the different sizes, age, and depth as well as texture. The roughly cut stone was the perfect choice for the focal bead, lending just the right amount of color and flare to make this ornament pop. Fits women’s medium to large wrists, Available @ Stone and Bone on Etsy

Fortune Teller Carnelian and Copper Charm Choker: I love all things Gypsy related. This wonderful women’s choker is all things that a fortune teller would adorn herself with. I choose to use carnelian as the my faceted focal piece, for it’s healing and protection qualities, and copper as a means to hold and secure them together, copper is said to be the metal of the Goddess of Love Venus, the collection of charms range from hearts to pearls and so much more. I loved the idea of the colored silk ribbon to be it’s tie, so that this piece can be worn long or tight near the throat. One size fits all Available at Jewelry by Reshell on Etsy

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

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 classic looks with a little added zing. I like to use all kinds of materials, but very often you’ll find beads mixed in some how, even if the piece is primarily made of metal.

Silver and Crystal Autism Adjustable Puzzle Necklace

What is your creative process like?
I normally work best when I have chunks of time, and I usually work when it’s quiet because I’m easily distracted. When I hear music, I tend to zone out and my mind goes elsewhere, so I find it hard to concentrate. I don’t necessarily sketch out every design I create, but I do keep sketch books around and when I don’t have time to try to make a prototype right away and I have ideas floating around, I will sketch them out so I can refer to them later when I have more time.

I have a range of processes for creating work. For example, sometimes I will design a project around a specific item, so I’ll pull various odds and ends and see what I think looks good with it. Other times I may have a specific need, such as a new pair of earrings for an outfit I want to wear, so I’ll purchase specific supplies for that design and go from there. If there is a holiday coming up, then I will focus on creating projects related to the holiday because those are usually very popular with my readers, and hey, they are fun to do too.

Queen of Hearts Metal Clay and Crystal Earrings

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry?
I have taken a lot of classes in jewelry making, lapidary, sewing, wearable art, book-art – you name it. I like working with different media, so whenever I get a chance, I try to take a class of some kind. For me, the classroom is a good learning environment because I’m a million-questions kind of person. I like to have a teacher nearby so I can ask questions as they pop into my head (which obviously can require patience on the teacher’s part!) Even if I don’t have time for a class, though, getting together with friends who have similar interests and crafting together has also provided me with wonderful learning experiences.

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
If I had to go with one jewelry tool, I think round-nosed pliers are just essential for me.

What inspires you to create?
Colors and textures – I think that’s one reason I like to often mix beads and fibers in with metal.

There is no Frigate like a Book

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
I really don’t ever have a time that I feel like giving up on crafting. Because my time is limited, I really look forward to my “play time. I also find it very inspiring to write and publish my designs. I have gotten some wonderful and supportive feedback from my readers, so that also makes me keep doing what I’m doing.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Never stop learning and educating yourself. Classes are great to take if you can, but if not, books, the Web, DVDs, rock clubs, and bead societies are good alternatives. I learn so much from other artists who share their expertise.

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
I’m an English teacher, so that means lots and lots and lots of papers to grade!

Raku Bead and Hemp Necklace Tutorial

What are your favorite other hobbies?
I like to do all kinds of crafts, but other than making jewelry, my crafty time is often spent dabbling with paper-art and crochet.

Crocheted doll outfit made for one of Jean Yate’s dolls

Post from: Jewelry and Beading

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 

Post from: Jewelry and Beading