Tracy Smith of Cinnamon Jewellery
What inspires you to create and how did you choose the medium you work in? Every artist/designer has a story to tell ~ I compared notes with four Jewellery Designers on Folksy to find out what stories lie behind their creations.
A love of jewellery, going to a beading class, a horse~riding accident and beads themselves are what started these Folksy sellers making their own jewellery.
Becky of Folksy shop Red Bird Jewellery tried every craft from mosaics to knitting but it was after taking a beading class that she started making jewellery. “It’s like a bit of an obsession. I find myself talking to people’s necklaces instead of them, as I try to figure out how it was put together. I just can’t get enough of it. I’ve got lots and lots to learn, and I’ve just bought a soldering kit, so I’m going to try a bit more metalwork. I’m very excited!” I asked Becky what inspires her designs ~ “It’s a bit of an old cliche, but I do love nature, the colours and shapes of leaves and flowers, rivers flowing – there’s so much to inspire. I also look to other craft types to figure out what colours would go together, and would love to try to incorporate more fabric into my jewellery – look out for some pieces later in the spring”
Lorraine of Folksy shop FairlyGirly also took a jewellery making course at a local Arts Centre. “I have always loved wearing jewellery and this was my chance to make some for myself. After making items for myself and friends, they were so delighted with them that they persuaded me to start selling them and that was how FairlyGirly was created”. Lorraine’s inspiration comes from the beads themselves. “I love the shapes and colours of them and the ability to design something that is unique. I offer a custom made service to my customers and it is lovely to be able to make something to go perfectly with an outfit or bag. It is very pleasing to see others wearing your creations.”
A crafting weekend in 2001 where she learned to bead using seed beads, a needle and thread is how Jean of Folksy shop Talking Beads first started making jewellery. “I taught my friend and together we increased our range of stitches and eventually started to teach bead weaving and took our work to craft fairs and opened up a web site. We no longer teach but still sell online and supply a local shop with our jewellery.”
Jean’s inspiration comes from colour. “Having a box of beads in front of me, peace and quiet and a few hours to spend…… bliss. I spread out my beading mats and do a ‘pick and mix’ of my beads and they seem to come together of their own accord. When I buy beads I just top up colours and shapes with no particular project in mind. I then have the beads when I am ready and feeling arty! I enjoy commissions, being asked to create a special piece can be daunting but I love to take the finished item to my customer. In fact, my customers inspire me to do better and better designs.”
Amanda of Folksy shop Gimme That Thing wanted to make jewellery from the age of 14 but it was only after an accident that she actually started. “It was only last August, when I had a riding accident and broke a vertebra, that I was unable to pick up heavy bags of clay to work on my ceramic designs, and started making glass beaded jewellery, as it was something that I could do sitting down. I have now discovered the versatility of precious metal clay and am moving forward with more adventurous and creative designs”.
Amanda is inspired by “Nature’s amazing and sometimes surprising colour combinations, fireworks and the sea. I like to put colours together that shouldn’t really work, such as pink and red.”
Finding your inspiration to create a piece of beautiful jewellery is only part of the process. Finding the right beads and findings is also important. The internet has opened up a huge world of beads and jewellery making supplies at our fingertips. I asked Becky, Lorraine, Amanda and Jean where they source their materials…………………
Becky: “I would love to buy locally as it would be nice to see what I’m actually buying when it comes to gems, etc, but I usually end up buying online. I can also spend a fortune at bead shows. I wish there was somewhere around here that I could pop along to, but I’m figuring out now which are the best online suppliers”.
Lorraine buys all her supplies from UK online stores. “A lot of my purchases have to be online as I only have local access to one shop, and I like to use a wide variety of beads and findings. I also purchase handmade lampwork beads from other UK artists, as I like the opportunity to support them and use their wonderful beads in my designs. The disadvantage of buying online, is that sometimes the quality and size of the beads when they arrive aren’t as expected. When this happens I don’t use them, as I have set myself quality standards which I keep to! Once a year I do get the chance to visit a bead fair, there is nothing quite the same as handpicking the beads yourself. It usually ends up being an expensive day!!”
Amanda also buys her jewellery making goodies online. “I have worked my way through most of the good bead and findings suppliers and now have 4 favourites that always stock what I need at good prices.”
Jeans buys everywhere. “I am afraid that I do not buy everything from any particular shop. My first stop for toggles and clasps as well as crystals and swarovski pearls would be “Noseks Just Gems” and for pearls my first stop is “Sandstones“. Both online shops are very good and respond quickly to a request. In the beading world we always want the beads NOW PLEASE and we cannot wait for 3-5 days delivery. The shop I visit is Bijoux Beads in Bath. Dangerous, as there is no such thing as popping in to look.”
I’d like to say a big “Thank You” to Becky, Lorraine, Amanda and Jean from Folksy for taking the time to answer my questions and making this such an interesting article. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it!
Now enjoy their slideshow!
Donut bracelet pic courtsy of Art and Candies
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