Jewelry Artist Mini-Interview: Teresa Pfeiffer

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.

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.

Have you read?