Tuesday's Treasures - Beadlady5

Margo is the guildmaster for the AJDJSS guild on ArtFire. Besides spending much of her time promoting our members, she's a very talented jewelry designer. Many of her designs have a lovely vintage feel to them. 

Let's get to know Margo a little better....

1. If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?

I think my strong sense of humor combined with my positive attitude is what defines me more than anything else as a human being.  These 2 attributes have been my strongest survival skills and have helped me to continue to be pro active in everyday life.

2. What role does your family play in your art?

My family is quite supportive of my creative endeavors.  They give me their honest feedback about my creations.  My husband and younger son help me with my craft fairs by assisting me to set up, by bringing me breakfast, then lunch, and they also help with the clean up.

My husband is in charge of having my orders shipped properly.  It is a comfort to have their help.

3. Where do you live and what is it like?

I live in Staten Island, NYC for over 30 years now. Recently, we moved into a 2 family home so my mother could live in the apartment to be closer to me.

I love living here because we have Manhattan close by with all the wonderful things it offers--yet, we also have the peacefulness of a suburban haven.

4. Where did you learn to craft or are you self taught? 

I am self taught.  I come from a family of creative "genes" and am lucky that these genes have been passed onto me.  I have been a crafter all my life--from knitting, crocheting, needle work, macrame, quilling, faux painting, and more. 

I became interested in the art of jewelry design and creation when I needed a necklace for a dress I bought for a wedding.  Couldn't find anything that I liked and prices were a bit outrageous for the necklaces.  After looking over how a few necklaces were made I felt that I could make my own necklace.  Off to Barnes and Nobles I went to check out the books on jewelry design and creation and this is how my wonderful creative journey began.

5. How long have you been working at your craft?

It is almost 7 years now and I find it quite amazing that I still have so much more to learn and so much more to create.

6. Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?

My inspiration comes from:

1. The beads, cabochons, filigrees, and jewelry supplies in general.  When I see beads or other supplies that I like I start creating immediately in my mind. 

2.  The pieces of jewelry worn by people in my everyday activites, T.V., movies, and magazines.  I like to take a design that I have admired and recreate it in my "style" and

3.  Repurposing  old jewelry pieces.

7. What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?

Enjoy your process of creation.  Try very hard not to allow others opinions deter you from doing what you love to do.  Remember the saying "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"--it is true for you!

8. If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful thought!  I would so love shop for  vintage beads, cabochons, stones, cameos, filigrees, etc.--I guess you can see that I am now in "A Vintage State of Mind"!

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