Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Jewelry Artist Mini Interview-Jennifer Cameron/Glass Addictions

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Today’s mini interview is with lampwork artist Jennifer Cameron. Her business name is “Glass Addictions” and you will easily understand why when you see her work!

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.

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Book Review Wednesday: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”

Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.

The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”

What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.

There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.

This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.

My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.

You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.