Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Mini Jewelry Artist Interviews – Katie Hacker

by

 

In 2009, I thought it would be fun to do “mini interviews” so we can learn a little about alot of different people!

 

Our first artist to grant a mini interview is Katie Hacker. Katie presents Beading Lessons on each episode of the public television series Beads, Baubles & Jewels. She has written many beading books and contributes how-to projects and articles to a variety of magazines, including a column for Beadwork magazine. Visit her website and blog at www.KatieHacker.com.
* How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?

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!

* Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
I loved making friendship pins (see pix on my blog! http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/08/then-now.html) and friendship bracelets when I was in elementary school, but I started getting serious about making jewelry when I was a teenager and couldn’t find cool clip earrings for my un-pierced ears.
* You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?
Beading wire, crimps, round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, wire cutters. These would be very helpful for stringing all of those coconut beads that I’d be carving by hand!
* What material would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?
I am really interested in metal working but I just haven’t made the time to learn much about it. I keep promising myself that I will sit down with my friend Candie Cooper and learn how make some basic things.
* What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?
My husband does organic farming so I help with that in the summer I also love to read and have been known to sit down with a good book and not get up until it’s finished.
*Other News to share?
I co-authored Bead & Wire Jewelry Exposed (F+W Pubs Jan 09) with Margot Potter and Fernando Dasilva. It’s all about exposing the components that are normally hidden in a piece of jewelry and making these items an integral part of the design. Read more about it here: http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2008/12/gifts-for-yourself.html
 
I’ll be teaching two fun classes at the Swarovski Tucson Event on Friday, Feb. 6. Visit www.create-your-style.com for details.
Thanks Katie for letting us get to know you a bit better!

 

 

Comments

Trackbacks

Have you read?

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.