Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tuesday's Treasures - Willow Walker Designs

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This week's talented artisan is Pamela Prichard, a very talented fused glass artist, of Willow Walker Designs. She is also an extremely talented wire and jewelry artist. She has shops on ArtFire and Etsy.

Let's get to know Pam better....

1. If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?  I really don't think there is just one thing that defines me.  If I had to pick I would say it is my love of color!  Another day you might get another answer.  (grins)
2. What role does your family play in your art? My family plays a very big role.  Growing up my parents were always doing something crafty and encouraged me also.  I grew up in a stained glass household.  My dad started me on the path of fusing dichroic glass jewelry.  My son, his best friend (my "other son") and my ex help me do shows.
3. Where do you live and what is it like?  I live in gorgeous, SUNNY Central Oregon.   Everything east of the Cascade Mountain range, about two thirds of the state is nice, fairly dry with something like over 200 days of sun.  Unfortunately when most people think of Oregon they think of the Willamette Valley on the other side of the mountains where it rains a lot. 
4. Where did you learn to craft or are you self taught?  I learned glass fro my parents and am self-taught for all my wire working and beading.
5. How long have you been working at your craft?   I found my true glass calling when started fusing and making dichroic fused glass and wire wrapped jewelry in 2005.  I made my first sun catcher when I was eight.  I still do stained glass and teach it and fusing.
6. Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?  I find  inspiration everywhere.  It all goes into a big ole'  pot in the back of my brain where it simmers to fruition.
Here are some more links to Willow Walker Designs' creation: 



Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Tuesday's Treasures - Gravel Road Jewelry

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This week I've selected a jewelry artist whose work I truly admire; ErikaLyn, commonly know by her nickname Bonnie, of Gravel Road Jewelry. Bonnie creates amazing wire wrapped jewelry using primarily sterling silver wire.

Let's get to know Bonnie better....

1. If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?
I am very eclectic!

2. What role does your family play in your art?
They are very supportive and I can count on them to give me compliments, opinions and advice freely.

3. Where did you learn to craft or are you self taught?
I am self taught.

4. How long have you been working at your craft?
I have been creating wire jewelry on and off for over 10 years and have been making it more consistently in the past several.

5. Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?
Everywhere! All of the things, people, places and events in my life are a source of inspiration.

6. What piece of advice you can give other artists?
Hmmm, it's not really advice but I know a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I will share ... "Every artist was first an amateur."

7. If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?
Supplies, supplies and more supplies! I would be wading in wire, beads and gems!

Here are links to where you can find Gravel Road's creations:

ArtFire
Handmade Artists
Zibbet

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Tuesday's Treasures - Mazel Tov

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I've know Cindy Lavin thru various online groups so am thrilled to have had an opportunity to reconnect with her recently. She's an incredible jewelry artist and blogger.

Let's get to know Cyndi a bit better....

1. If there's one thing that defines you, what is it?
What defines me, especially as an artist is that I believe we're all
designed to be creative beings. I believe that all of us create because
our Creator made us in His own image, and He is creative. Some people
don't think that they are creative, but I believe that's because they
haven't found the right medium yet, or the right way of looking at
creativity. Creativity is a lot broader than some of us realize.

2. Where do you live and what is it like?
I live and play in central Massachusetts, where the long winters are
conducive to curling up and doing picky picky beadwork. The brief springs
and summers are time for refueling, and the glorious autumns are inspiring
beyond belief!

3. Where did you learn to craft or. are you self taught?
Although I've taken some short classes here and there, especially when I
can study with an artist I respect, for the most part I'm self-taught. I
am very grateful to all the fabulous folks who have written books
detailing the techniques that I use most: different beadwork stitches,
wirework, Photoshop basics, acrylic paint techniques, and the like. Once
you know how to do the basics, I think it's important to develop your own
style in putting them together.

There are some things that I think are best learned in a classroom. I'm
glad that I took a weekend class in lampworking, for example. Yes, I
could have figured it out eventually from the books that are available,
but I was able to avoid a lot of potentially dangerous mistakes by
investing in a class.

4. What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?
Find what you do best, what makes your heart burn within you, and perfect
it. Then move on and add more things into the mix. Don't ever stop
exploring and expanding your artwork.

Here are some links to where you can find Cyndi's work and her fantastic blogs:


MazelTovJewelry

WildestDreamDesigns
BeadingArts
MixedMediaArtist
WhyNotArt
RealFoodFast

Monday, April 05, 2010

ArtFire Artisan Spotlight!

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I'm thrilled to be the AF Featured Artisan for the next few days! Check it out & leave a comment if you wish.

ArtFire