September 19, 2008
The Carnival's Here!
I've been invited to join a great group of artists in their monthly blog carnival. Each month they blog on a topic that pertains to art and jewelry! This month's question pertains to our career choices. How did we come to be a jeweler or metalsmith? What was our design path? Was it always our focus?
What a loaded question! I for one can't wait to read everyone else's answer. Here's my best stab at it...I've always been involved in art. It's in my DNA. It's what makes me happy. I could talk your ear off about it!
My grandmother, who was Sioux indian and German was an artist and a one-room school teacher. She was always painting or doing some form of art. For many generations before her, the indian women ancesestors in my family have done amazing beaded art work.
My mother of course is a gifted artist. I grew up always doing art projects and watching her create wonderful things. She is an award-wining oil and tole painter, pen and ink, and more! For over 15 years she was textile designer for an boutique in Aspen, CO. She's had Lady Di, Maria Shriver and countless stars wear her work. My job was to pick out the colors she would use. Of course, I didn't realize that I should have charged her for my creative input :-) She'd have me come and select the colors to be used. Without a vested interest, I would just look at her design, select the colors and be out of there in minutes. Wish I had those decision making skills now! That's a whole other topic, right?!
In college I got my degree in interior design with an emphasis in interior architecture, at University of Arizona. I worked for a little over a year for a large firm when I realized it just wasn't for me. I then did faux painting in interiors. Nothing like very large canvases. Too many times up and down the ladder! Then while living in Chicago, I got a job managing the first arts and crafts store in the city. Inside the store was a bead bar. The bead-love in my blood quickly took over. At the time delica and seed bead weaving was becoming very popular. Additionally, Chicago had a very large and well-known bead society. I had the pleasure of meeting NanC Meinhardt and began to spend Mondays at her home learning all that I could. It was at this time that I began my obsession with workshops, books and devouring information. I also and began to sell my jewelry and small sculptural work in galleries. I then got distracted by the PYOP (paint your own pottery) craze and decided to open my own studio. My mom and I partnered up in 1996 and opened Tucson's first PYOP store. I had some misconception that I would sit and bead all day while customers painted pottery and handed me gobs of money. All while having a 9 month old too! My first lesson in taking off the rose-colored glasses! While at a convention for the PYOP industry in 1997, I met Tim McCreight demonstrating PMC. I dove in, began teaching it in my store, and became certified in Art Clay a few years later. Then quickly followed that up with level two and was requested to apply for one of the first positions as a senior teacher for Art Clay. I have since been a senior teacher for each importer (Art Clay, PMC Connection and now Rio Rewards). I taught it both my stores for the next 5 years and now teach it in my studio or in other venues. After being asked by students where to get supplies, in 2002, I opened Whole Lotta Whimsy with my mom. Our goal was to provide a one-stop shopping source for mixed media and metal clay supplies. Now nearly the entire family works with me. Art and art supplies are a large part of our wonderful lives! In all that time, I've ventured off in many directions trying it all. I tell others I have AADD, which I call artist's attention deficit disorder. Here are some of the people I've had the pleasure of studying with in glass, enamel, and metalsmithing. I appreciate all that they have shared with me as it has made me a better artist, business owner and person! I've only taken three metal clay classes and am mostly self taught. The classes are my certifications with Mary Ann Devos (1 and 2 in Art Clay) and a watch-making class with a fellow from Japan.
Want more stories of the artistic path to jewelry? Here are more carnival members:
Lora Hart
Angela B. Crispin
Marco Fleseri
Elaine Luther
Lorrene Davis
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