Also, on her blog today she mentions that she has been listening to the podcasts of Jay Whaley.  They sound like excellent podcasts on all things metalwork and include discussions with the likes of Tim McCreight, Dana Singer and Harriet Estelle Berman.  What an greatt thing to be listening to in the studio for weekly inspiration.

How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?  
Until recently, Feisty Elle, produced handmade women’s brooches, bobby pins, hair clips, and badges made from felt and cotton fabric. I was obsessed with felting before it became popular, and taught myself both wetfelting and needlefelting. However, I became frustrated over how many womanhours I would put into a single piece and how low I would have to price it be able to sell or move it. Talk about depressing and not profitable! I’ve now begun to phase out of producing handfelted work and begun to introduce more laser-cut industrial wool felt into my work, which finally gets to answering your question! When I first started designing laser-cut accessories, I designed brooches and hairclips, and just for fun, I made a smaller version of a dahlia brooch design to fit onto a bobby pin. A friend of mine saw this small design said she’d love the design instead as earrings. And here I am, designing felt and bamboo earrings!

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
Yeah! You’re taking me back, Barbe! It was in this arts and crafts class in fifth grade where we made paper beads and strung them into long necklaces.

You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?
One, I need my CS4 design software; I’d feel naked without it. Two, and this is totally cheating, but I’d love to bring a lasercutter with me. Three, that means I’d need some sort of solar-powered generator to run the lasercutter and my laptop. Four, a year’s supply of bamboo ply and felt in every imaginable color. And five, dark chocolate because it’s delicious and keeps me going.

What would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?
I would love to work with a 3D printer.

What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?
I’m most likely either working on the biz side of Feisty Elle, reading design books, reading too many blogs, eating out too often when I should be cooking at home, and scribbling new jewelry design ideas in my sketchbook.

Thanks for the interview Leslie! And if you are in San Francisco, Leslie will be selling her feisty accessories at Renegade Craft Fair Sat & Sun July 18th & 18th at Ft. Mason.

• How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business? 
  After creating a sculpture of a woman bound by forks, University of South Carolina’s art professor Fran Gardner (Perry) suggested during a critique that I incorporate this sculpture into a shrine in order to make it more special.  The gallery owner and director, Christina Chastain agreed and pointed me in the direction of personal shrines.  My shrines became smaller and smaller until they were almost wearable.  I started putting chains and beads on the shrines in order to create necklaces so people could carry their personal shrines with them.  My style has evolved into incorporating found objects, vintage items and artistic elements as well as creating the shrines.  I find that each object that I come across has a supernatural energy within it that is secretly telling a story that only I can hear.

• Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
  My first piece of jewelry was created out of a fork and art glass.  I bent and twisted the fork.  Then, I added the art glass using a two-part epoxy.  The final touch to my project were chains and beads so it could be worn. 
• You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?
  Wire, dremel with a really small drill bit, steel block, pliers set, dremel reinforced cutting wheel – I could use the other stuff on the island to help me make jewelry.
• What would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?
  Wow.  There is so much that I need to learn!  I would like to learn more about etching metal.  I’m afraid of chemicals because I have a toddler around so I’ve not dabbled in the etching yet. I would also like to learn how to fuse glass.

• What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?
  I am a freelance graphic designer.  I also paint and create mixed media art pieces.  I’m a board member for the Artisan’s Center and Galleries in Lancaster, South Carolina.

More about Madame Teasley:
I am from Savannah, Georgia, which has allowed me to grow up exposed to all areas of the arts.  My husband Michael and children, Erin – 12 and Joel 4 – are the most wonderful inspirations that a gal can have.  I live in the Metrolina region outside of Charlotte, North Carolina.  My formal education is in Computer Information Systems and Computer Science.  Art has always been a solace for me in order to escape from the hectic world of IT.  I can be found on Etsy at http://madameteasley.etsy.com and my constantly under construction web site is http://www.oncepossessedstudios.com.  You can also keep up with my ramblings at http://madameteasley.blogspot.com.

Today’s Artist Mini-Interview is wth my new friend Deryn Mentock.  Deryn is an extremely talented mixed media artist and her work is outstanding, as you can tell by the teaser photo.

How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business? 
I finally decided that I needed to find a way to pay for my passion!  Much more than that though, I found a personal, spiritual voice, expressed through my jewelry.  It’s important to me to share that.

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
Probably, the first piece of jewelry I ever attempted to make was a beaded headband, created on a beading loom when I was in Camp Fire girls.  I think I got about one inch completed.  Needless to say, that type of beading isn’t my thing!  I also remember a lovely, colorful telephone wire ring made in CFG.  I wish I had that ring today!
 
You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?
Well, I’d have to have an endless supply of wire, of course.  Also, pliers, nippers, a hammer and…sheesh, I can’t decide on the fifth thing…can I have a laptop with internet? One of my favorite tv shows is Gilligan’s Island so I know a lot about island survival.  I could probably use a rock as a bench block, make  beading thread from palm fibers and beads from rocks and shells then I’d…oh, do I have to be stuck on a desert island???
 
What would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?
I’d like to learn lampwork bead making.  That would open up a whole world of new supplies, equipment, tools…possibilities.
 
What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?
I love creating collage, artist’s books and artist trading cards.  But, when I’m not doing any of that, my favorite thing is camping with my guys.
 
All about Deryn:

Deryn Mentock has been passionate about art, especially jewelry design, for as long as she can remember.  Her designs mingle unique, worn and well-loved finds, religious pieces and faceted, semi-precious stones as well as one-of-a-kind handmade elements, combined in unexpected ways. She prefers the look and feel of vintage, unusual and found objects and delights in blending these treasures into her work.  Each composition, infused with color and texture, reveals an intuitive message of faith conveyed through the artist’s hands.
 
She enjoys teaching nationally and is a design team member for Susan Lenart Kazmer’s “Objects and Elements.”  Her artwork has been featured in several books including “Mixed Emulsions” by Angela Cartwright, “Exhibition 36” by Susan Tuttle  and, most recently, “Collaborative Art Journals and Shared Visions in Mixed Media” by LK Ludwig.  You can also find her work in many articles and publications, including Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Belle Armoire Jewelry, Belle Armoire, Art Doll Quarterly, Stampington’s Gallery, Correspondence Art and Stampington’s book Artist Trading Cards. 

You can see more of  Deryn’s work at her blog; http://somethingsublime.typepad.com and her online store; http://mocknet.etsy.com.   She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Creative Souls.

Thank you so much Deryn for the interview!

Grace Necklace

Not only is Julee a Jewelry Making Goddess, she is on the Design Teams of ZNE and Hannah Grey; and a proud member of the California Crafters Club of Etsy (cccoe team).  Her work is currently on display at Lafayette Art Gallery, Savvy Seconds in Downtown Pleasanton, CA and Tangerine in Dublin, CA.  She has an Etsy shop for those who aren’t local. and will be vending and teaching some Make & Take classes at the ZNE Art, Paper & Pleasantries show May 2 & 3rd in Dublin, CA. You can read more about what she’s up to on her blog .

How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?
I started selling my work when my dear 4 year old little girl asked me, “Mommy, how are you going to wear all of those necklaces?” and at first I really tried to say that I have lots of outfits and I would manage to wear them all at once or a little at a time, but when people kept stopping me and asking me if I sold them I finally got the hint and started selling them at a craft fair in Pleasanton just about a year and a half ago. I also started an Etsy shop at about the same time and have expanded into selling at a few local dress shops, a charming gallery in downtown Lafayette, CA and a gift shop called Tangerine!

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
The FIRST first FIRST piece of jewelry I ever made was a necklace made from Vintage (although I don’t think I called it THAT!) wallpaper. My paternal grandmother taught me how to make wallpaper beads and then string them together like a strand of pearls and I was HOOKED and I still have one! I made some last year and finished them with UTEE… too cool!

You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?
Just for fun…If I were on a deserted island some place perfect and fabulous and I could only have 5 art supplies they would be:

1: Solar powered Soldering Kit including glass (I say the whole kit is really one supply – like that?), 2: Dries Clear Glue from Art Institute,3:  Art Institute GLITTER (duh!), 4: water colors (I could make my own brushes… well, I *COULD*),5: caulking (you should try it, you may LOVE it!)

What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?
I would like to learn more metalsmithing type work… I would LOVE to learn to make a bezel, I would love to learn the type of soldering that you do with a torch.

Fairy Tale Bracelet

What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?
When I’m working, but not making jewelry I am making tiny shrines, teaching workshops on soldering and shrine making, blogging, editing photos and “networking” (a.k.a. Feeding the Facebook addiction) LOL I’m also the wife to a charming young man and Mommy to a brilliant, darling, UBER TALENTED 5 ¾ year old kiddo (not that I’m biased or anything:) and volunteering at her school. In my free time I try to get the laundry fairy to fold the clothes!

Thank you for the interview Julee and letting Craft Gossip readers get to know you a bit better!

How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?

I was selling my jewelry on ebay as a hobby for 6 months. Then I got pregnant at 39 and I wanted to stay home with my new born. So i decided to quit my job and try to sell jewelry for full time. So Sky Dreams was born.

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?

Yes, it was a wild flower ring. When I was a child, I spent more time with my grandparents in the country. My country friends didn’t have toys and they showed me how to curl hair using acacia leaves and make rings with wild flowers;) I am going to teach my daughter Sky, too;)

You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?

tool set, 26ga sterling silver wire, 18k gold headpins, bead box and sterling silver chain

What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?

I love how gold feels so I would like to use more gold but, will have to wait till economy gets better and I am planing on learning PMC. I will have to wait till Sky goes to preschool in Sept.

What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?

Most of my free time is spent with Sky. She is very active so 24 hours is not enough to do everything she likes;)

Hee also just started a blog  as well!

How did you start doing jewelry/beadmaking as a business?
I have always loved beads and beading, so began many years ago making seed beaded bracelets, and earrings. It wasn’t until I began using polymer clay in earnest, that I turned jewelry making into a business..

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?   Oh, boy, I don’t, but I’m certain I was very small, and likely made it from flowers and twigs while playing “Fairy House” with my sister in the bushes and trees outdoors! Then I moved on to using real, wooden beads as a BlueBird and Camp Fire Girl…that’s the first time I remember actually making jewelry. I was always weaving fibers to create bracelets, as well (this was in the early 70’s, so my macrame bracelets were very ‘in vogue’..lol).

You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?   Pasta machine, clay, brayer, cutting blade, oven (is there electricity on this island???)…if not, I’ll cure my clay in the sun

What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?
Oh, my list is long. I have long wanted to work with glass, especially lampworking. I also would love to do metal working (I wanna play with a torch!) and also, paper marbelling…that’s not jewelry related, but the effect is so beautiful and I’d love to try my hand..

What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?  I am an avid hiker (snow-shoer in the winter) and love to be outdoors exploring. I’m also a dedicated reader, and lover of information, learning and ideas.

Where can readers find more out about you?  More of my work can be found: www.janarobertsbenzon.com, I also have a flickr page, and will have my etsy shop up in the near future. I sell my items at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts Gallery, and also have two instructional DVD’s available, “Arabesque Caning”, and “Secret Shapes Inro”.  Folks can see how to purchase those by visiting my website.

This weeks Jewelry Artist Mini Interview is with Jill Lawrence of Twisted Sisters Art.  She creates some of the most amazing,  jaw dropping, intricate and drop dead gorgeous wire work I have ever seen. 

How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?

I had a booth at the local Farmers Market, selling silk scarves that I had dyed, and needed scarf rings. I had wire that I had at work, and designed scarf rings with buttons, beads and wire. They were rudimentary, but they sold. After a year, I found smaller and higher quality wire, and started making designs with it.

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?

I took jewelry classes my junior year in high school, I learned how to enamel copper. I remember a series of 1/2 inch squares that I kept, but didn’t do anything with…but I do have under the couch, a bag of those tacky scarf rings. I keep them to keep me humble. There are other beginners out there.

You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?
Oh, the 5 things I would take if on an island? Easy, my needlenose pliers, my blunt cutter and my flat nose pliers. I’d need 20 gauge and 28 gauge wire. With that I could find pebbles, glass, metal, seeds, anything small could be fashioned into jewelry. What color wire, would be the hard part.

What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?
I have two things I want to do. One, I’m really wanting to upgrade my wire into silver and gold fill. I love using the parawire I’m using now, I buy it by the designer bolt. The cost is what keeps me from doing it. The retail price would have to go up to cover my expenses, and I’m not sure the customer will pay it. This summer will tell me, because I’ll have more feedback.
The second thing I want to do, is to use brass filigree, cubic zirconia and wire, and create corsages in metal. I have a floral background, and I can see an approach in designing a piece like a corsage.

What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?
My day job is a buyer for a large floral shop chain in the Midwest US. I buy all the blooming and green plants, and work with flowers and plants all day. At night, I spin wire, and spend time on my etsy website and I just started a blog. My dream is to become proficient enough in this to support myself to quit my day job.

You can find my work at:
www.twistedsisterarts.etsy.com
http://twistedsisterarts.blogspot.com/

Thanks Jill for your interview!

How did you start doing jewelry/beadmaking as a business? 
     My obsession with glass started with a simple class making a stained glass panel. I was immediately fell in love with glass and was compelled to start taking as many classes as I possibly could and planning vacations around what glass related places we could visit.
     Within 3 years of that first class, I got my first kiln and started fusing. I desperately wanted to make lampwork beads too, but resisted…an entire YEAR of resisting! Now I have 4 kilns (one of which only anneals beads) and haven’t made a stained glass panel in 5 or 6 years.
     Making jewelry out of my beads was a natural and unplanned progression. I was completely surprised by how much I enjoy creating jewelry and sometimes prefer making jewelry to making beads. I go through different creative phases like many other artisans.

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
     It was probably a macaroni necklace for my mom! However, the first “serious” attempt at jewelry was probably one of my first fused dichroic cabs that I then wire wrapped into a bracelet using instructions from Jayne Persico’s book. I don’t really care for that style of wire wrapping now, but I still have that bracelet.

You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make
jewelry with-what would you take?
     Are you kidding me? Is it possible to only have five? I like to have every tool known to man at
my disposal!  OK, I would definitely need my Lindstrom RX Pliers: Flatnose, Chainnose,
Roundnose, and Wire Cutters; and lots of wire.

What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn
that you haven?t yet?
     I am really wanting to try some mixed media and collage, incorporating it into my jewelry and my home. There just aren’t enough hours in the day!

     Luxury time is spent reading or taking classes for learning new techniques to incorporate into my work. Goofing off time is spent on twitter, facebook, and other social networking activites. I also homeschool my children, and work as the primary chauffer, secretary, accountant, maid, chef, and all the other mom stuff.
What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?

Upcoming Show:Indiana Art Fair at the Indiana State Museum Feb. 21-22

Glass Addictions Links: website: http://www.glassaddictions.com/
blog: http://www.glassaddictions.blogspot.com
etsy: http://www.glassaddictions.etsy.com
1000 markets: http://www.glassaddictions.1000markets.com
twitter: http://twitter.com/GlassAddictions
Facebook: a really long link! Search for Glass Addictions on facebook or there are links on
my website and blog.

Todays mini interview is with jewelry artist Teresa Pfeiffer of “Designs by Teresa”.  Teresa is an avid animal lover and works with feral cat rescue. It was her love of animals that got her started in her jewelry business.

How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?   MY DEAR CAT FRED PASSED AWAY, AND IN ORDER TO MAKE HIS MEMORY LIVE ON, I GOT A TATTOO OF HIS PAWS, AND PROMPTLY MADE A SOLDERED ART PIC UNDER GLASS WITH A PMC SILVER HEART ON IT. EVERYONE ELSE AT THE VETS OFFICE LOVED IT, AND A BUSINESS WAS BORN…I THEN STARTED MAKING AFFIRMATIONS PENDANTS AND MADE SOME FOR A VERY WELL KNOWN BUSINESS IN SALEM MA THAT ORDERED FROM ME…THAT SPAWNED MY CREATIVE EFFORTS AND I JUST KEPT PLUGGING ALONG.

Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?   THE FIRST PIECE I EVER MADE WAS PROBABLY AROUND THE AGE OF 4…OUR TELEPHONE GUY WOULD SAVE THE COLORED WIRES AND I USED TO MAKE BRACELETS AND RINGS AND SELL THEM….I CLEANED UP!!!

You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take? SOLDER, SOLDER IRON, SILVER/COPPER WIRE, WIRE CUTTERS, PLIERS…..WHY IS THIS SO HARD, THATS ONLY A PARTIAL LIST!

What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like  to learn that you haven’t yet?  I REALLY WANT TO TRY THE CHEMICAL ETCHING, AND I AM REALLY WANTING TO TRY A PLASMA TORCH ON METAL TO MAKE SOME “BACKYARD LAWN” JEWELRY 

What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?    CAT HERDING. WORKING PT FOR A VET, GROWING MY GARDEN, COOKING, AND ENJOYING MY HUSBAND, TWO SONS AND 5 CATS….AND OF COURSE, CRUISING MY FAVORITE CREATIVE BLOGS ONLINE!

I am currently selling jewelry thru my blog as well as local boutiques. I am in the process of setting up a new etsy shop.  I will have the store url posted on my blog as soon as its up.

Thanks Teresa, for letting us get to know you better.

Todays Mini Jewelry Artist Interview is with Heather Powers of Humble Beads. Don’t you just love this hedgehog bracelet??  Heather creates amazing polymer clay beads inspired by nature and art history.  She has a very unique style, look at these urchin beads for example, they are lifelike!

Anyway, on to the interview!

* How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?
I started making jewelry in college to pay for extra expenses.  In 2002 I changed the focus of my business from selling jewelry to selling my art beads. 

* Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
It was a brass pendant on leather.  I think I wore that thing every day for a month.  Well, until I returned to the bead store!

* You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?    My lindstrom pliers, wire-cutters, wire, fireline, and a beading needle.  That would keep me busy for a while.  I’d have to learn how to make art beads from the island’s resources.  That would be a fun challenge!  * What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet? I’d love to learn some basic metalsmithing skills like soldering and making bezels. 

* What do you do when you aren’t making beads?
When I’m not making beads, I’m planning my annual Bead Cruise adventure, editing my popular blog, the Art Bead Scene, and spending time with my family and friends. Links are:  www.humblebeads.blogspot.com www.artbeadscene.com   www.beadcruise.com   I recently had 2 designs published in Bead Star magazine as a finalist in Interweave Press’ new competition. 

Thanks so much for letting us get to know you a bit better Heather!

I worked as an editor for Hot Off The Press, a craft book publisher in Oregon, and they wanted to publish a book on making hemp jewelry. I told my boss that I had been making hemp jewelry for years and she asked me to contribute to the book!

]]> http://jewelrymaking.craftgossip.com/mini-jewelry-artist-interviews-katie-hacker/2009/01/16/feed/ 3 http://jewelrymaking.craftgossip.com/gift-ideas-for-jewelrymakers-rubberstamps-for-jewelry-clay/2008/12/03/ http://jewelrymaking.craftgossip.com/gift-ideas-for-jewelrymakers-rubberstamps-for-jewelry-clay/2008/12/03/#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:27:52 +0000 Barbe Saint John http://jewelrymaking.craftgossip.com/?p=697

If you have someone on your list that works with polyclay or metal clay they would love some of these great rubberstamps from Barbara McGuire.  I really like the “Strippers”. Strippers cut out shapes are a deeply etched group of shapes…

If you have someone on your list that works with polyclay or metal clay they would love some of these great rubberstamps from Barbara McGuire.  I really like the “Strippers”. Strippers cut out shapes are a deeply etched group of shapes – circles, triangles and squares that outline the standard shape.  Also this sheet of Architectural design sheet

There are alot of other cool stuff on the site including doll templates, shapelets, texture stamps and more. Any jewelry clay artist would love a gift of supplies from Barbara McGuire.

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World Artisan Gems is your source to locating some of the most talented and creative independent artisans who create one-of-a-kind wearable art jewelry, glass art, and beadwork from around the world. You’ll learn about all kinds of artists and find some new faves!  The artisans are featured on the site are by invitation only so they bring you only the very best.

Its a great blog and I’m enjoying reading the interviews. If you like to learn about jewelry artists be sure to add it to your bloglines.