Artist Profile: Cassandra Colgan, winner of Back To Nature Beading Challenge

April's beading challenge theme was "Back To Nature" and jewelry designer Cassandra Colgan's piece Budding In The Sun captured this theme perfectly. We wanted to know more about Cassandra and have asked her to share her story.  

Tell us about yourself:  
I am a 23 year old home birth after cesarean mother of two handsome boys, who cares deeply about maternity care, mothers, and babies. From this, Home Baby Crafts was born. I use my ability to create to support what matters to me. With each piece I sell I set money aside to donate to help support midwifery, doulas, and childbirth education. The whole month of April and half of May 40% of every dollar made was dedicated to CHOICE Midwives in Columbus, OH and Every Mother Counts. This donation is set to be given this Mother’s Day. Every month after I plan to continue giving 25% to CHOICE and one maternity related charity of my Facebook fans choice. My birth was a very empowering and healing experience and I am grateful for the ability to help other mothers through my art. 

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making? 
To be honest, I only recently began making jewelry. This past November I was flipping through a catalog and saw a tree of life. I saw the price and cringed. $145. That kind of money was not in the cards for me, especially being 6 months pregnant. So I decided to go to the craft store, bought some supplies, and began fiddling. It was all downhill from there. While my first couple pieces, well more than a couple, were not that fantastic, I found creating with wire to be extremely enjoyable and relaxing and a wonderful creative outlet. For the next few months I spent hours every day letting my mind create away, it was a great way to pass time while waiting for my little one to arrive!
 

Who or what inspires your creative process?
I believe in keeping things simple & natural and I try to reflect that in my art. A lot of my inspiration comes from what I see as I am out and about, which is why all of my trees are so different. I have also been inspired by mothers and birth which led to the design of the abstract mother collection and the tree entitled “The Placenta”. Other than that, I don't really have a style, I just make what suits my fancy at the time. If I'm feeling bright...Rainbows and blossoms! If I am feeling woodsy...Trees and Nests! Down or Moody….Dark, desolate pieces. It all just flows at random. I don’t limit myself to one style or “signature” design.  

Winning Design!

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work?  
My full gallery, including previous works, the abstract collection, and miniature trees of life, is available on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HomeBabyCrafts and I do take requests for custom ideas and pieces. Current pieces for sale can be found in my Etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/HomeBabyCrafts 

Thanks Cassandra for sharing your story!