Wire Wrapping Tutorials and Helpful Hints

I met Aurea on Twitter a few weeks ago and when I checked out her website, I was blown away by her originality of her jewelry – I had to share her designs with everyone!
Aurea’s jewelry business is named The Golden Plague. “Golden Plague is the translation to English of Portuguese words Aurea Praga. I started using this as a general name for my creations with my blog in 2008.”
Aurea tells me, “I live in Portugal, in Porto. At this time I teach drawing classes and I participate in some craft and design market shows. In my free time I try to draw (I wish I could do it more often) for my own amusement and post it in my blog. I’m always looking around for images, music, movies, books. I read a lot in my spare time. It’s a quiet pleasure that can race your heart. I love spending time with my family and friends. They inspire me every day. I have the privilege of being surrounded by interesting people from different areas and we share and support each other’s ideas and exchange opinions whenever we can. I often think of them as my secret intelligence.”
I asked Aurea how she discovered her jewelry design talent. “My link with jewelry was 4 years ago in the first classes I attended. At that time I worked a lot in the computer and I felt the need to get my hands into something more concrete. I found that metal working was the perfect media for my urge to communicate ideas, and they just keep coming.”
“The main material I use is silver. The thing that attracts me the most is that I can make a piece from scratch. The whole process from melting the silver until it’s turned to a completely new object that you had visualized. For the finishing touch I often use oxide or felt and stones to add some color. Recently I took a workshop on Japanese lacquer and in the next couple of weeks I’ll start listing new lacquered pieces on my sites. I’m always looking for new techniques to enrich my work. But I also like to mix different materials, like in my “Second Chances” Series, that is made out of cans and scraps from magazines. It all depends on what the idea asks for to come out.” I cannot WAIT to see the new lacquered pieces. Please be sure to post a comment on the blog with links when you post those!

My favorite….

Aurea has some really great goals for her jewelry. “My main goal is post graduation in Jewelry Design. I’m waiting to know if it will open this year and if it does I’m already in. My background education is on graphic design but in the jewelry area it’s mainly technical and I’m felling the need to improve my project concepts and it will give me a wider range of knowledge in many ways, some historical context, the ability to think where I fit in and to make my way with more certainty.

Another goal is to spread my work internationally. It would be so rewarding to see it travel across the world.

And that may be possible today through the internet. So, one of my goals is to grow online. I’m in DaWanda for about a month and I fell immediately in love with the handmade atmosphere I found in the internet. Every single day I see something that catches my eye. And I’m getting regular feedback on my work. That’s great! I’ve decided to always take some time to learn the new ways to live in it and deal with its new challenges.”

“Well, as I develop my jewelry work, I try to keep myself in a permanent learning process, taking courses and workshops whenever possible. And drawing, I’m doing a series of drawings (whenever I get the time) that I call “Girls are Weird” where I try to transport to images feelings like guilt or pride or even some feelings I can’t find a word to grab it, especially in the particular way women feel it. I’m a woman and I know that sometimes the way I react can look pretty weird. But the creative process has many different shapes and you never know what is coming your way.” I hope you will be sharing your drawings with us, too. I would love to see these – they sound very insightful!
What inspires Aurea? “Freedom inspires me, especially the freedom of being whoever you are with authenticity and wanting to express that to others. Most of my work is based in human emotions. I try to capture them in an image and jewelry is one of the means to do that. When you wear it you express your ideas, your moods and personality. I’m also inspired by this new open world where you get so many, too many information every day and every culture is mixed and blend. It’s a bit scary but most of all it’s amazing.” This is a great answer! I always think “That ring that I made is cool” – for me, everything is cool, self-defining but I never thought of it to the depth that you do. Thank you for sharing these thoughts with us!
Aurea can be found online at:

Golden Plaque Blog

Aurea Praga DaWanda

Aurea Praga Twitter

The Golden Plague Facebook

Thank you, Aurea, for interviewing with me! I look forward to seeing more of your original creations in the future.

I met Randel on Twitter and thought his prints and collages are very cool and unique! Randel told me “I remember drawing at a very early age. I think that the people around help me develop and grow as an artist. I mostly work in collage, printmaking and photography. I have a BFA in printmaking for Northern Kentucky University. I live and work in Northern Kentucky as a visual artist. When I’m not creating art I enjoy playing music, collecting mid-century modernist stuff, collecting first edition books and entertaining.” Sounds like really fascinating collections Randel has. I bet we jewelry artisans would be very inspired by the mid-century modernist stuff!

This is the best part of what I love about Randel’s collages. This technique really adds an abstract element to his work. “In my collage work I love using found items such as pages from old books, the inside patterns from security envelopes, printed tracing paper, letters or whatever else I might find and am drawn to. I love going to thrift stores to search for things to use in my work.”

I sell my collages and photographs on my blogs and also in galleries. Right now I have a few etchings and lithographs on Etsy and occasional I will post work on ebay.”

I asked Randel what his future plans are for his artwork. He told me, “I hope to be attending graduate school in the spring to get my MFA in printmaking. I am also planning an online business where I can curate and sell photographs from photographer around the world at very affordable prices.”

I asked Randel if he has any other creative outlets. “I used to create and design jewelry years ago. I love working with metals, especially silvers. I also enjoyed cutting gemstones. There is a lot of beautiful agate in Kentucky. Looking for it was as much fun cutting it open to find out what’s inside.”

This is currently my favorite but I have not yet had time to look at all of Randel’s prints so I might change my mind…but this one is totally cool!

And my favorite question of all my Featured Artisans Monday, what and/or who inspires you. Randel told me, “I find inspiration in many places. The work of other artists inspires me, and also the materials I find and use in my collages. Someone once told me that all artists are vessels, they take in everything around them. I believe that.” I completely agree with you, Randel. My sister-in-law once told me “You really see the world differently than the non-artistic person.”

Randel’s artwork can be found at several sites on the web:
A Collage A Day
R. Plowman Photography
R. Plowman Studios Flickr
R. Plowman Studios Etsy
R. Plowman Twitter

Thanks, Randel! I look forward to seeing your future creations

I have had the pleasure of knowing Theresa of Studio 618 for about four months now and like so many of my jewelry artist friends, I met her online. I asked Theresa how she came up with the name Studio 618, and she told me “About 4 years ago, I wanted to set up a business to sell my jewelry online. I wanted a business name where it can sound professional for me to sell both my jewelry creations and architecture services. Since I work out of my home studio, I used my house number as part of the name.”

“I have a son who started college last month. So it is now that I am able to find more time to work on my jewelry creations and the business. Now that I don’t have to share my car with him, I’m also spending time meeting up with artists living near me. It is these artists whose work, creativity and enthusiasm truly inspire me. I also enjoy meeting some incredible artist friends online through sites like Twitter and Facebook.” This is a great way to fill that “empty nest” syndrome and meeting with other artists is always a fun and inspiring way to spend time!

Theresa told me this ring was inspired by an artist friend of ours, Bill of Purified Art. Awesome – I love it!!

I find Theresa’s style to be very clean looking with great geometric shapes and lines. She told me “Using traditional metalsmithing techniques, I create simple and timeless metal jewelry, using highly recyclable silver, gold, copper and brass. Occasionally, I would add color accents by adding gemstones, glass, and pearls.”

“After working on monumental scaled architecture designs since graduation, I longed to work on something on a more personal scale. Although not as complicated nor as expensive as a building, jewelry is the perfect compliment. I took a jewelry making class at the local bead shop and I was hooked immediately.” Thank goodness you took that class, Theresa, so we can all enjoy the beautiful pieces of jewelry you create!

One of my all-time favorite rings of Theresa’s:

Theresa sells her work online, locally, and on the east coast. “My work is available year round at my Etsy and Artfire shops. I also sell at local art and craft fairs. Currently some of my Judaica pieces can be found at a gift shop near Boston.”

Theresa’s goals for her jewelry: “My future goals include having a bigger presence at retail shops for customers to touch and feel my work. I’m always open to additional explorations in other jewelry making techniques. I think I have the most fun when I’m learning, improving, and dreaming about the design of the next piece.” It’s amazing, isn’t it, how much we can actually learn and improve our techiques? I agree with you, Theresa. It feels great to figure out a better way to do something, to continually refine one’s style.

This ring is totally cool!

I asked Theresa if there are other creative avenues she would like to learn. I think she was destined to be a jewelry designer! “Sometimes I think I have too many interests. When I was little, I did embroidery and fashion design. Then I took interest and made wood furniture, using Japanese joineries such as dove tails and mortise and tenon. Well, I think metal is here to stay though.”

Theresa and her amazing jewelry can be found on the internet at the following sites:

Studio 618 ArtFire
Studio 618 Etsy
Studio 618 Blog
Studio 618 Twitter
Studio 618 Facebook
Studio 618 Flickr

Thanks, T, for answering all my questions and sharing your beautiful work with us!

Laurie makes very cool cards, digitally enhanced photos and prints. I love them because they are very colorful and abstract. I asked Laurie how she came up with the name of her business. She told me “Made by SwirlyGirl is the name of the business I started about 4 years ago after much prodding from my husband and friends to sell my cards instead of just giving them away. The name was created after my husband made a remark about the doodling I would do while I was on the telephone. I added the “made by” because there was an existing business with the name of Swirly Girl.”

In addition to creating beautiful cards, Laurie keeps herself quite busy with her family life. “I am a wife and the mother of two daughters, ages 13 and 8. The four of us live with our 7 year old German Shepherd/Australian Shepherd dog in the Los Angeles area, where my husband works as an actor, writer, and acting teacher. I was a professional ballet dancer in my “former” life, as well as a choreographer and ballet teacher, and I currently teach ballet part time at a dance school in the San Fernando Valley. When I am not working on Made by SwirlyGirl in some way or teaching ballet, I am taking care of our home, driving the kids to their school and activities, volunteering at their school, and all the things that most moms I know do. I have many hobbies, but have not had time for many of them since I began this business venture! Some of the things I really enjoy doing are hiking, traveling, camping, cooking, reading, going to museums, galleries, the theatre, the ballet, and anywhere that I can witness either nature or the creative imaginings of others.”

My personal favorite….

Laurie creates “note cards and matted photo art that I sell in my Etsy shop. I have several lines of cards: Made-U-Look, Kaleidoscope, Whirly Girl, En Pointe, and Plein Air, and will probably be creating another before long.”

I asked Laurie how she discovered her talent. “I don’t think of it as a talent as much as an interest that I took the time to explore and develop.” Hhhhmmm, I am going to have to argue that fact with you, Laurie LOL – I have been taking pictures of my jewelry for several years now and still struggle to get everything just right!

She further told me, “I’ve always had the need to create as far back as I can remember. As a small child, I painted sea shells and made pot holders and sold them door-to-door. At least I TRIED to sell them. (In all honesty, I think I sold 2 shells and one of them was to my father! The pot holders sold a bit better.) I’ve crocheted, knit, embroidered, sewed, needlepointed and cross stitched, learned some Native American beadwork, learned basket weaving, floral design, wreath making, faux finishes, covered photo albums and frames, made boxes and books, tried scrapbooking, jewelry making, quilting, and a few other arts and crafts. This is the first one that has kept my attention. What I love about making cards and photo art is that I can change it anytime I want to. I can create a new line, drop one, change the direction of it…I can’t run out of things to photograph and there are so many things I can do with each photo that I feel I can keep this up indefinitely! Plus, it satifies my need for immediate gratification, being a quick process from photographing to packaging the finished card!

The first cards that I designed were about 9 years ago, I think, when there wasn’t much disposable income and I refused to spend $4 or $5 on a card to send someone that they were just going to throw out after a few days, most likely. I thought:”For $5, I can buy the supplies to make many cards and those that receive them will actually want to keep them, too!” They were made from torn and cut handmade papers on cardstock with some beads, buttons, or ephemera added for texture. I then began working with gorgeous fabric remnants that a close friend would give me. When I got my first digital camera and began to experiment with a couple of photo programs, another door opened for me and the world was suddenly a new and exciting place to discover! My first cards came out of a happy mistake that became the direction I have continued to expand, my Made-U-Look line.

I’ve taught myself how to use my photo programs and camera and how to use my computer and the internet. I’m moved to create; I create; I like it or I don’t like it; I do it again and take what I learned with me into the next attempt;…it’s just about trusting myself and believing that if I like the way something has come out, there will probably be others who like it, too. But, even if there aren’t, the process is not motivated by pleasing anyone besides myself when I create, anyway. The process is worthwhile just because I’m moved to begin it.”

Materials that Laurie uses include “cardstock from office supply or arts and crafts supply stores and any handmade papers that I use I purchase at various paper stores or online. The ink for the computer, the photo paper, and the double sided tape are the costly items and I haven’t found a wholesale source for those, as yet, but I purchase my packaging supplies through an online wholesale source. The two items I look forward to being able to afford are a commercial printer and a commercial paper cutter. It’s quite tedious to hand cut each photo and much of the cardstock, and I would love to have more options with my printer (although I am very happy with the quality of my current printer).”

Laurie told me she would “love to see my images on household and personal accessories and would be thrilled if any licensing opportunities presented themselves! Also, my husband has been collecting wooden window frames for some time–(we have quite a collecion in our garage)–that he enjoys refinishing for use as frames for my photo art. We would like to have a number of these finished to offer my customers. I am also considering participation in some of the arts and crafts shows in our area.”

There are several other aspects of art that Laurie would like to explore. “I have basic skills in many different mediums, and jewelrey making and metal work are areas I’d like to explore further, along with sculpting, pottery, weaving, and stained glass. There aren’t many creative forms of expression that I’m not interested in trying! When I am creating, I am being the most “me” I can be. My world has unlimited potential and I am transported to a place within myself that is light, joyous, open, and free. The vehicle is not nearly as important as the journey itself, so I want to try it all!”

Lastly, my favorite question of all artisans, what and/or who inspires you? “There are all different kinds of things and of people that inspire me in many different ways, but we are talking about creativity here and not the other innumerable ways humanity can inspire. Color, texture, movement, shape, music, lighting, nature, art in any form inspires me…I’m a very visual person and nearly all of my inspiration comes from something I see, but if it is coupled with music, there is nothing better than that! I don’t know WHY something inspires me. Sometimes something doesn’t appeal to me on an esthetic level at all, but the sheer imagination that cooked it up just knocks me out! Other times, something will inspire me because it makes me want to dance or to write or to paint…as if it has just triggered a direct physical or emotional response and bypassed my analytic mind entirely. Or it might be taking something very simple and changing my perception of its potential that will send me on a quest to try out an idea. There are many people whose art and craftmanship I have been inspired by–from every branch of the arts–but I’d rather be inspired by the results of their muse rather than try to analyze them, which takes some of the magic out of it. For example, Andy Goldsworthy is an artist I’ve recently discovered and his art—using natural materials and the environment as his tools and his canvas–moves me deeply. But, he is just a man. It is the result that is the expression of his spirit which holds so much fascination for me rather than the path he has taken to get there. Maybe because I know my own process and attempting to put it into words somehow diminishes the experience.

To me, there is nothing in this world more inspiring than being surrounded by people who go inside themselves to explore and come out with piece of their own divine beauty and uniqueness to share with the world.”

Laurie’s beautiful photography and cards can be found on the internet at the following sites:
Made By SwirlyGirl
Made By SwirlyGirl Etsy
Made By SwirlyGirl Blog
Made By SwirlyGirl Facebook
Made By SwirlyGirl Twitter
Made By SwirlyGirl Flickr
Made By SwirlyGirl Soopsee

Thanks, Laurie!

My friend Bill of Purified Art makes the coolest metalsmithed jewelry ever! I met Bill just a few months ago online at Etsy Secrets. I instantly fell in love with his jewelry.

Bill told me he “started under the name Purified Art in 2008. Prior to that I was never serious enough to have a name.” Really? Very glad you decided to become serious about your jewelry because it is certainly a site to behold.

I asked Bill what types of handmade items he creates. “Right now I am focusing on metalsmithing/jewelry design. My initial plan was to start with silver and then move on to other products/art. I can’t seem to pull myself away though… soon”

Bill told me he has always done art in one form or another. He also said, “I wanted to go to art school, but wanted something a little more stable than the fine arts (ha ha). I started taking metals classes while at Tyler.” Bill’s goal with his jewelry is to become a “100% self-employed artist.”
Other mediums of interest for Bill: “I like to try my hand in anything and everything. I like painting, pen and ink, sculpture, photography, ceramics, woodworking, graphic design, hmmm anything else?”
Bill pulls his inspiration “from music and the insignificant things that I see day to day. A lot of my inspirations are on a subconscious level for sure. I like to just start working and let things go where they want. Also tons of research and I am always inspired by other artist’s techniques and styles.”
I just had to buy Bill’s Silver and Brass ring (one of my favorites) for my significant other for his birthday. Mark loves the ring and it fits him perfectly!
Thanks, Bill. Your designs are an inspiration!!
Find Purified Art online at:
Purified Art
Purified Art Etsy
Purified Art Flickr
Purified Art Blog
Purified Art Facebook Fan Page

I met Abby a couple years ago on Jewelry Lessons, Eni Oken’s teaching site. Abby is a very gifted wire wrapper who lives in the UK. I am very thankful to be her friend as she is about the nicest person one could ever hope to meet, let alone look at her beautiful jewelry!

When Abby is not busy making jewelry, she and her partner have a shared interest in wildlife conservation, particularly with reptiles. She told me “We are going to be following that dream this year by moving to Greece to work on a conservation project to protect a wetland of international importance, which is home to an isolated population of chameleons. We have been working for the past 10 years towards this goal and are finally about to realize it.” Wow, how exciting is that?! “I also enjoy listening to music (particularly live bands) and reading. I am a keen gardener too and have dabbled in growing my own fruit and vegetables (with varying degrees of success!!).”

I asked Abby how she discovered her jewelry skills and she said, “It just sort of crept up on me really. I have been making jewellery since I was a child, starting with bead weaving and simple strung necklaces, then moving on to rosary chains and wire wrapped pendants and that developed into what you see today. Wire Jewellery is my passion, but I have made many things in my time including: Candles, Christmas decorations, Mosaics, Polymer clay models, to name a few, I also enjoy cooking and make anything from cakes to Plum ketchup!”Abby also told me that she is very interested in learning metalsmithing.

Plum ketchup?I have never heard of that but it sounds really good!

Regarding materials used in her jewelry, Abby told me “I prefer to use silver wire and semi precious and precious stones for my jewellery. I sell my jewellery and tutorials online. My jewellery is currently only available in one shop due to being in the middle of moving:
Boo! – Sustainable and fair trade shop
8 Sadlergate
Derby
DE13 3NF
boo-design@hotmail.co.uk

As always my last question to my Featured Artisan Monday is who or what influences you. Abby told me, “Eni Oken has probably been the biggest influence so far on my jewellery. But I have met many wonderful people in the past year through JL [Jewelry Lessons] who have helped and encouraged me including our wonderful Jodi and Franchezka Westwood to name just a couple. I find inspiration everywhere, particularly in nature and the changing seasons.”

Thank you, Abby! I look forward to seeing all your beautiful creations to come!!

Abby’s jewelry and wonderful tutorials can be found at:
Abby Hook Jewellery
Abby Hook Jewellery Etsy
Abby Hook Jewelry Lessons
Abby Hook Facebook

I met Rose on Facebook and fell in love with her yummy beads! Rose has three businesses – Simply Lin, Sweetest Charms, and Beads Around the World – busy woman!

And if having three jewelry/crafting businesses isn’t enough, Rose tells me “Well, I’m actually a licensed Interior Designer, but crafting and business has always been my calling.  So I pursued this rather than be an interior designer full time.  I do that occasions for friends but not for my job.   I’m lucky enough that I get to do what I love and earn a living from it.  I started selling chocolates when I was a kid.  That didn’t do well because I started eating my products.  Then I discovered this after college.” Eating her product – LOL – go figure!

Rose keeps herself busy creating accessories, usually for Brides, but she also carries a line of beads that she creates for crafters or hobbyists. Her beads are made with clay.

I asked Rose how she discovered her talent. “I was 9 and I was in an Orange County library in California where I saw books about crafts.  I spent hours just browsing through the pages and hoped that I had some of the materials I could use.  I found some strings and I just started making bracelets in my room.  I never imagined the books I read when I was a kid would become so helpful to me now.”

Rose has wonderful goals for her business. “My dreams are to someday have my accessories sold in New York and have my beads used by great artists and designers and my online business in full bloom.” I’m not seeing a problem with this becoming a reality with the “treats” that you create!

Rose plans to continue to further her knowledge and skill with jewelry making. She wants to “learn all the mediums there are in designing jewelry. I don’t want to limit myself in clays and wires.  I want to grow as a designer, and I believe that as a designer, we must keep on learning new things.”

As I do with all artisans, I asked Rose who or what inspires her to create her beautiful beads. She told me “I get my inspiration from nature and God Himself.  I believe that God is the perfect designer.  I apply the color designs He selected for the flowers into my accessories as well.  I’m located in the Philippines where beautiful nature overflows and with that I feel blessed.” Thank you for this lovely answer, Rose. I too feel that my ideas come from Him. My ideas literally just pop into my head!

I just love the Fantasy Collection brooches! I think they look like yummy Easter egg candies!!

Rose’s creations can be found at numerous sites on the web:
Simply Lin Etsy
Around the World Etsy
Sweetest Charms
Sweetest Charms Blog
Lin Javalera Twitter
Simply Lin Facebook

Thank you, Rose, for sharing your wonderful designs with us!

For some reason, I’m hungry, really craving some sugar and I am also feeling the need to go shoe shopping….

I met Irith online and instantly fell in love with her beautiful jewelry. Irith tells me she started her studio in January 2002 but only started selling online at Riorita Etsy in January 2008. We’ve all been missing out all these years!

I asked Irith to tell me about herself. “I call my handmade jewelry shop Riorita. I have been a silver and goldsmith for the last 15 years and enjoy every minute of it. I live in Haifa Israel, by the Meditteraenean, and my handmade jewelry workshop is situated in a small artists ‘colony’ in Kibbutz Ein Carmel near Haifa. There is a lawn with statues and more workshops of various artists across my workshop.”

This sounds like a wonderful place to really be creative, especially near the sea – how nice!

“Before creating handmade jewelry, I used to knit and corchet anything from tablecloths to small curtains. I used to sew all my clothes but ever since I started jewelry making, all I have in my mind is handmade jewelry design.”

Irith started creating jewelry “after I got tired of working as a legal secretary. I remember during a lunch break, I passed by a silversmith’s shop, looked at his window and thought to myself ‘I think this is what I want to do. I am going to give it a try!’ Following this thought, I began my studies at Wizo Art School in Haifa.”

I find it very interesting that many jewelry artisans who I have interviewed discovered their talents later in life, not as a teen or young adult, but possibly after we have fulfilled other goals in our lives – maybe got married and raised children and then finally got around to taking time for ourselves.

Irith sells her jewely in the main gallery of Ein Hod, an artist village close to where she works, in Tefen Art Gallery Shop, and more galleries around Israel. Many of her handmade jewelry items are sold abroad.

Irith told me “In my handmade jewelry workshop, I design and create jewelry in silver and gold combined with semi-precious stones and precious gems. Many of my items are hammered in the repoussee technique which means they are hammered on top of a bowl of pitch which gives them a 3D or sculptural effect.”

Some of Irith’s designs are symmetrical such as geometric shapes, hearts, butterflies or leaves, but she also enjoys using asymmetrical shapes.

What Irith tries to keep in mind is that jewelry should give women a feeling that they look beautiful and special. Sometimes just a row of pearls can do the job, but on other occasions, Irith’s jewelry adds a desirable effect.

Irith designs and creates a variety of jewelry including silver and gold necklaces, earrings, pendants, and bracelet along with many handmade jewelry pieces which are custom made.

I asked Irith what her future goals are and she told me “to find more new elements and learn more techniques to use in my jewelry. Your fantastic wire wrapped jewelry is a technique I’d like to adopt and apply to my own ideas in jewelry making.” Thanks, Irith!

“As for my online business, I wish people would buy more.” Ah, the wish of us all.

Two other creative outlets that Irith would like to accomplish is to study painting in an art school and learn to create paper mache items.

Crafting is Irith’s fulltime job and when you look at her beautiful jewelry, you can certainly see why! Irith told me “I live, eat, breathe jewelry design all day and at night, my head has been working overtime.”

Thank you, Irith, for sharing your stunning jewelry with us, your goals and your dreams!

Irith’s jewelry can be found on several sites on the web:

Riorita Etsy

Irith M. Jewelry Flash Site

Irith Mashiah Jewelry

Riorita Blog

Seedlings: Jewelry Because was established by Sharon in March 2009, creating jewelry, with Sharon branching out into accessories (such as hairpins). Sharon told me “I’m also planning on opening a shop just for forged and crafted findings since I’ve found I really enjoy that aspect of jewelry making.”

Sharon started creating jewelry out of necessity: “I had trouble finding jewelry I liked for reasonable prices so decided to pick up some tools and beads and see what I could make. The first things I tried were with seed beads and that didn’t really click. I have a ton of respect for folks that work with tiny beads but it is not for me…

I really enjoyed making earrings at first because I could whip out a pair for every outfit if I wanted. People kept asking me where I was buying my jewelry and I loved telling them that I had made it.”

Currently Sharon works with all types of wire including copper, sterling silver filled, and Argentium sterling silver. For beads she prefers natural and smooth such as recycled glass from Ghana but she’s starting to really get into larger semi-precious stones such as agate and learning to like small facets.

Sharon also told me “I love pearls as long as they are all knobby, funky and strange! Something truly beautiful to me about them so I use them as much as I can. I’m also a fan of shells, coral and mother of pearl.

I like to use fair trade or ethically sourced materials when possible and try to give first priority to recycled elements as well. I’ve found a great source for Ghanaian krobo beads through Soul of Somanya.

I save all my silver scraps to recycle either through making charms for another project or if they are very small, to be resmelted (through Rio Grande at the moment). As a person who is creating to learn and to share, sometimes I have to use what I have on hand or what is most cost effective but a goal is a goal!”Sharon is “a Georgia transplant, moved out here from Kansas in 2003. I’ve been involved in some form of website development or Internet industry since the mid-1990s and I somehow ended up doing that once I was here. Odd since I graduated with a degree in music composition…but I needed to pay the bills!

The desire to keep the bills paid has kept me in the website field where I’m currently a designer for a group within AT&T that builds sites for advertisers on Yellowpages.com.

What really keeps me busy when I’m not creating though is entertaining my hubby and dog Foo (a rescue dog that’s a bit on the nutty side)!”

I asked Sharon if she has any other hidden crafting talents. She told me “I’m always learning new techniques and trying to work with new materials. I’m currently taking a metalsmithing class at the Callanwolde Center in Atlanta with Cat Goolsby. After using the torch to solder at the first class, I knew I would love that but the jury is still out on some of the other techniques.

I want to learn lampworking too because I love the thought of creating a piece that is entirely 100% created from scratch so to speak. Right now I’m at the whim of stumbling upon a beautiful bead and figuring out how I want to make it work. I want to take control of that process.”

I always am interested to learn what or who inspires an artist. Sharon said “My main inspiration tends to come from thinking about something and then peeling it back like an onion, figuring out what makes it exist at a base level, deciding on a tangent and then seeing if I can translate that into a piece of jewelry. One of the concepts that continues to fascinate me is how simple plus simple equals complex. Everything we look at in nature can be boiled down to smaller elements that added up are breathtaking. I enjoy paying homage to that simplicity, or at least trying!”

Goals for Sharon’s business? My 2010 goal is to drop the day job entirely and focus on Seedlings. I’m starting to do a lot of custom work and a lot of projects for weddings which I’ve found a lot of satisfaction with. Something so wonderful about working with a person who is completely focused on making one day special for so many people. I never thought I would find wedding work appealing!

I can’t really say that I have a concrete goal creatively because I have so many things I want to try and do and learn and I feel like I’m in a giant candy store filled with wirey, beady goodies! I just want to keep creating and see where it takes me.” I think many of us can relate to this feeling! I know it took me a while to discover what aspect of jewelry making I really love and am good at.

Sharon’s beautiful work can be found at multiple sites on the web:

Seedlings: Jewelry Because

Seedlings: Jewelry Because Etsy

Seedlings: Jewelry Because Facebook

Seedlings: Jewelry Because Blog

Seedlings: Jewelry Because Twitter

Seedlings: Jewelry Because Flickr

Nossub Gallery was established this year, 2009, and currently includes Ana’s jewelry designs and will eventually include her other beaded works, including photography. Ana’s latest jewelry designs are intricate peyote stitch jewelry. Ana enjoys going to the Sahuaro National Park with her box full of beads, needle and thread and spend half the day beading at a picnic table while listening to the birds and watching ground squirrels – how nice!

Ana is a fellow Tucsonan. She works as a semi-retired CPA who moved permanently to Tucson in January 2009 from New York City. After she closed her practice, she was teaching as an adjunct professor at a local college in NY. She plans to continue teaching accounting in Tucson.

While living in NY, Ana was a volunteer at the Bronx Zoo and she hopes to train for a similar volunteer position at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum next year!

She started photography many years ago and what was a hobby eventually developed into something more serious. My photography was sold through three galleries in the NY area, and she became a Polaroid Creative Use Consultatnt working with Polaroid Emulsion Tranfers. Unfortunately, the modern Polaroid Company has discontinued manufacturing the type of film needed for that process. From there, Ana was dragged to a bead store in Connecticut and got into designing and handcrafting jewelry.

Like so many Tucsonans, Ana’s “downfall” for buying (and buying too much!) is the International Gem and Mineral Show held in Tucson every February. She also purchases supplies from Jay’s of Tucson.

Ana’s jewelry is currently sold in Beadwildered Women in Nyack, NY and was carried in Butterfly Gallery in Kaibab Courtyard although it closed earlier this year. Her photography is currently still packed away but she plans are to get her pictures into galleries and gift shops in the Tucson area.

Ana’s goals for her jewelry and photograph is to find commercial outlets for them. She tells me “I am not a good marketer or salesperson so a gallery or store that would be interested in buying my original designs and handcrafted jewelry would be very welcome.” To see more of Ana’s wonderful creations, please visit her online stores!

Nossub Gallery Etsy

Nossub Gallery ArtFire

Nossub Gallery 1000 Markets

ALG Photography