Gift packaging |
But, for as much as I loved jewelry & creating things, I also loved math, science, and computers -- and so by the time I reached high school, jewelry was mostly a forgotten hobby. All through high school and college, computers were my hobby -- I'm also a web developer and designer today, and often work on both jewelry design projects and web projects simultaneously.
After a long stint of neglecting my love for jewelry, instead focusing on applying my creativity to computer designs (e.g. I would "modify" a computer case much like some people work on cars or motorcycles), I finally got back to making jewelry in late 2006, but this time, I had a new focus. Beads took a back seat or perhaps a co-starring role alongside my new found love: chainmaille. A short while later, I took a class on fusing glass and began adding that to the mix. And after lots of prodding from friends and family, I went from being registered on Etsy (since 2008) to finally opening my shop sometime in 2010.
I now work in many mediums -- metal clay, polymer clay (any kind of clay, really -- I also throw pottery), chainmaille, beading, traditional pearl knotting, glass fusing, metalworking, etc. My desk is a myriad of supplies and tools, that I'm constantly re-organizing to make space for new tools. In a nutshell: I love creating wearable or useable art!
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CONTESTS & FEATURES:
I have been fortunate to be a finalist and winner in a few contests. I have also, as a result, been featured in a major US jewelry & beading supplier's catalogs and magazine ads. A few of those features are here for your enjoyment:
Magazine ad, back page. This was used in a few UK jewelry magazine advertisements.
Catalog page -- featuring my 3rd place wedding category winner from 2011.
Catalog page -- featuring my 2nd place wedding category winner from 2012.
Catalog page -- featuring my finalist in the 2014 Fire Mountain Metal contest.
Catalog page -- continuation of the page above (2014 contest finalist). This page shows the matching earrings to the necklace and the set being modeled.