What I do: I make beads and jewelry. I love experimenting with new techniques, using unexpected objects to create beads, and creating items that are new and fresh and difficult to replicate (sometimes even for me:)). It's like a religious experience to me, bringing joy and a glow to my spirit. My beads are hand formed or sculpted though I do also use commercial molds from time to time. Most beads take multiple days from start to finish as I often paint/ink, antique, cure, sand, repaint to add interest, rebake, and seal them. I have more info about my process further down if you are interested.
Who I do it for: I would be lying if I said I did not do it for myself first and foremost because it brings me such joy. But delighting other artists and having them use my beads and components in their work is endlessly satisfying. Sending my jewlery out into the world to customers who enjoy wearable art is bliss.
Why my work is Unique: Most of my beads are hand formed using found objects in nature and household items. Some I hand cut and design based on a vision I have in mind. I love using various mediums to include oils, acrylics and alcohol inks. I generally hand mix paints to achieve a certain color, then apply in thin layers until I get the color I want. More on process on my facebook page "about" section: www.facebook.com/ShantyChicBeads.
Favorite materials: Kato and Premo polymer clay and surface treatments, such as paints, chalk, and alcohol inks. Layering on paints and inks and exploring color combinations as well as sculpting beads or finding new ways to design beads turns me on like nothing else. Well, except for the ocean, and sunsets, my guy, and the amazing tropical flowers we get living in the Keys. Who could help but be inspired!
Credentials: I have been making jewelry for over a decade and poly clay beads since 2008. My jewelry work, some of which included my handmade beads, has been published many times in national/international bead magazines, such as Step by Step, Stringing, Creative Jewelry, and Bead Trends, including on the cover of the final issue of Step by Step bead magazine. In the poly clay field, I am a combination of self-taught and taught by experts in class settings. I love scanning through books and online tutorials on poly clay, paper art, mixed media, and acrylics for ideas and application to my bead making. Artists who have influenced my work (and whose classes I have attended) include Marie Segal, Donna Kato, Bettina Welker, Jana Roberts Benzon, and Lindly Haunani.
I have included an excerpt from an artist who interviewed me This is more related to my jewelry making days but I think it gives you a sense of who I am as a person and artist.
Q~How did you get started?
A~I began my love affair with beads (which my husband refers to as an addiction) making items for myself but soon bought more beads than I could ever personally use. A card table was my first "shop" but I eventually took over the spare bedroom after my husband went away for a week of travel. {Note: husband is now my ex.}
Q~Why do you continue?
A~ I am resisting going to the bead aholic’s 12 step program. Seriously, I did not even know I had a creative side until my late 30’s when I started dabbling in creative writing and photography. When I began working with beads, I couldn’t stop. I mean literally I would sometimes be up until way past midnight creating pieces. I never really knew what having a passion about something was until then. I never get tired of it because I am always evolving my style.
Q~What is a great(or greatest) success story?
A~Discovering and acting on my creativity. If you had told me years ago I would ever start a small jewelry making business, I would have not have believed I would have the courage to do it. By stepping way outside my comfort zone, I have been able to experience a kind of fulfillment that is at the heart level.
Q~What is one of your greatest failures?
A~ I am weak for dark chocolate and will go to great lengths to get my fix.
Q~Where do you get your inspiration?
A~Sometimes from looking in a puddle like I did today. The sun looked like a moon casting a milky shimmer over stark brown tree branches –absolutely heartstopping stunning inspiring. Sometimes from people on the metro, or other people’s creations, or a gemstone or handmade bead. Really, it comes from anywhere for me.
Q~Why do you make/create what you do?
A~ Because it makes me happy. Simple as that.
Q~What is one thing you love about your business?
A~Getting to work with my hands and expressing my creativity.
Q~What is one thing you loathe?
A~That there are only 24 hours in a day.
Q~What is your mission?
A~ To Create what I love and hope others love it too.
Q~What would you be doing if not this?
A~Cleaning my house. So, you see I have no choice but to keep beading.