I am located in Raleigh, NC and I create semi-precious jewelry (necklaces, bracelets & earrings) using fresh water pearls, sterling silver, lapis, turquoise, amethyst, onyx, etc. My style tends more towards the traditional though I do try to go outside my comfort zone every now and then to change things up.
I actually started making beaded jewelry when I was a teenager. My sister had gotten some pearls and onyx beads to make a bracelet and I thought, "I can do that!" So I went out and bought myself some beads and made some jewelry for myself. Then I decided to make some as gifts for my friends. Next thing I knew, I was going to local craft fairs and the rest is history.
Nowadays, when the urge to make stuff hits, I pull out my 6' folding table and put a bunch of my stash on it with the rest sitting in bags on the floor. Then I'll start pulling stuff as the mood hits and see what works for me at the moment or what doesn't. I tend to get in to the creating mood right after I get new material. Kinda like getting a present and wanting to dive right in to the box to get at it.
When I'm not beading or at my day job, I love to read and do pottery. That happens to correspond to my two favorite Triangle spots. The first is the library. I am a HUGE reader and being surrounded by books just makes me happy. The second is Sertoma Arts Center on Millbrook in Raleigh. I started taking pottery wheel classes years ago and over time have met the greatest group of people you could ever hope to. Its a place that totally speaks to the artist in me and everyone there gets it. As it happens, that's where I learned about etsy. Oh, and I also teach jewelry classes at Sertoma.
That's also where I've gotten some of my most prized possesions. I've acquired some great pottery pieces that everytime I see them in my house, I have to say, "Pretty, pretty, pretty." I tend to prefer handmade, one of kind items over commercial, especially if I know the artist. My all time favorite actually comes from my grandmother. She was very skilled with her hands and I have some truely gorgeous needlepoints that grace my house and that I will enjoy for the rest of my life as I never grow tired of looking at them.
NCTriangle Team members who would like to be featured on the blog, please contact shoredebris.
