Artist Profile: Green Contest Winner - Christine Wentzel

We are very pleased to share the US winner of our "Green" contest, Christine Wentzel. Christine's lampwork and Czech glass beads woven bracelet, "Emerald City" uses a gold tone expansion band with onto the band using stainless steel wire. It is a beautifully ornate piece!

We asked Christine to tell us a little bit more about herself and her work so that we could share it with our readers.

 Tell us about yourself:

I am married to a great guy for 28 years who doesn’t complain when sliding on runaway beads and when bling creations take precedence over everything else. I reside in the beautiful commonwealth of Virginia where the ocean is just a few clicks to my right and the mountains a few more to my left. I am blessed to work from home as a writer for A WORD for Women, the creator/owner of BLING! by christine, and a dabbler in many crafty tasks.

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?

Because of a life-long struggle with rheumatoid arthritis, I was given the challenge to stop a 9-5 career and see what a life-time of playing with arts and crafts could net me from home. I no longer could afford to buy jewelry on a whim so decided to make my own. Thanks to the ease of Internet and boutique shopping it’s been an almost-painless transition from hobbying to selling.

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?

I enjoy beads—gemstones, crystals, glass, wood/seed, acrylics and hand-made. In the case of this contest winner, Emerald City, I was intrigued by the expansion band, but wanted it to be more than a simple cha-cha style. After many, many, many hours of trial and error this version became the foundation for my original line of bling over 15 years ago. It’s remained a unique design.

Who or what inspires your creative process?

For me the material usually inspires the design. Sometimes a specific jewelry need inspires the design as well as commissioned projects. Custom orders are my all-time favorite design challenges. Handing over the finished “baby” is nerve-wracking and exhilarating.

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work? 

You can find BLING! by christine at www.blingbychristine.etsy.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.


Congratulations again Christine, and thank you for sharing you work with us. We wish you all the best in your future creative pursuits.

Artist Profile: International Winner Chain Contest - Katie Belcher

The international winner of our Chain contest comes from the United Kingdom. Katie Belcher won with her Chainmaille Cross Necklace. This necklace shows a neat application of the chainmaille jump rings to make a cross shape.

Tell us about yourself:

I am a wife and mother of two beautiful children, Finlay and Seanna. By day, I am a part time Math teacher. I've been teaching for over 10 years now. As well as being passionate about teaching, I love to be creative. I'm always looking out for some crafting project, whether it be learning new skills in jewelery making or creating cards to give to family. I love the challenge of creating personalized pieces, and knowing that each one is individual and specially made for one person. I am lucky to have such a supportive family who always encourages me to follow my dreams and do what makes me happy.

Katie Belcher

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?

A couple of years ago, I wanted a piece of jewelery to go with a maxi dress that I'd bought for the summer and I just couldn't find the right thing. So I thought I'd make something instead! I bought some beads and findings and created a necklace and bracelet that was perfect for my outfit. I got many positive comments about them, as well as a few requests to make gifts for friends and family.



 
What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?

At the moment, I am loving using hand stamps to stamp onto various metals. I love its random, organic look as opposed to a precise or machine made look; it's this that makes it unique and beautiful.

Who or what inspires your creative process?

I wouldn't say I have anyone in particular that inspires me but I find beads that I love and make something inspired by them, whether it be based on colour, shape or style.

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work?

I am on facebook: Beatificjewellry
My website: www.beatificjewellery.co.uk


Thank you to Katie and all of our entrants for sharing your designs with us. We love seeing what you all can create. Best of luck in your creative ventures!

Artist Profile: Chain Contest Winner - Janine Gerade

"Copper Multi-strand Chain Bracelet"

We are very pleased to announce the US winner of our Chain contest, Janine Gerade. Janine's Copper Multi-Strand Chain bracelet showcases a classic color combination of copper and turquoise.

Tell us about yourself:

I consider myself a multi-creative person. I dabble in a lot of arts such as photography, floral design, graphic design, painting, jewelry design, etc. I had my own floral shop for years and make money here and there doing floral design. I love making jewelry and currently teach jewelry design at Michaels. My favorite time is creating jewelry next to my young daughter who is picking up some skills lately with stretch magic.

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?

Janine Gerade

I got into making polymer clay beads around age 14 at a creative arts day camp. I love how the possibilities are endless.

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?

Polymer clay, semi-precious gemstone briolettes, sterling silver anything and of course Swarovski Crystal.

Who or what inspires your creative process?

Pinterest has been my creative go- to lately. I have always loved Donna Kato's and Carol Simmons' polymer clay work. I look at fashion magazines and follow the Pantone color of the year. As a trained graphic designer I was delighted to know that Pantone is used for fashion. We use their colors all the time in our programs such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Work by Janine Gerade

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work? 

To see my work please visit my etsy shop: Janine Design
My website: www.janinedesign.com
Facebook: janinedesignjewelry





Congratulations again Janine, and thank you for sharing you work with us. We wish you all the best in your future creative pursuits.

Artist Profile: U.S. Halloween Contest Winner - Inga-Lynn Spencer

We are pleased to announce the U.S. winner for our Halloween contest, Inga-Lynn Spencer. Inga-Lynn's winning design titled "The Webs We Weave" is a spooky creation that incorporates lots of layers of  Halloween themed goodies and chains.
                                                     

Inga-Lynn Spencer

Tell us about yourself:

I'm a 26 year old, self-taught beader. I picked up beading when I first moved to Ketchikan, Alaska 7 years ago, and haven't been able to stop since. Constantly trying to better myself and my art, going outside the box, and being unconventional are my goals. Wearable art.

"The Webs We Weave"

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?

I first got interested in beading, walking through Walmart. I was trying to find a craft to do in my spare time, and saw some beads. I thought, "that looks fun!" Since then, I've been self teaching and creating new things for my family and friends since.


What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?

My favorite materials to use, currently, is chain. I want to find new ways to hang it, and place it. But I like using found items as well, flea markets, yard sales. Deconstruction.


Who or what inspires your creative process?

My boyfriend inspires my creative process. He has a creative mind, and comes up with some technical, challenging projects that in the near future, I plan to bring to life. We bounce ideas and techniques off each other and it really opens my mind with creative flow.


Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work?

To see my work, and to contact me about purchasing items, visit Poema Beaded Designs.


Congratulations, Inga-Lynn and thank you for sharing your beautiful jewelry with us. We wish you all the best in your future creative endeavors!

Artist Profile: International Halloween Contest Winner - Iha Vahlberg Orre

We are pleased to announce the international winner for our Halloween contest, Iha Vahlberg Orre. Iha's winning design titled 'Autumn Flowers' features a beautiful array of autumn colored lucite flowers and leaves.

Iha Vahlberg Orre

Tell us about yourself:

I am a jewelry maker from Lund, in the southern part of Sweden. I love bead embroidery, bead weaving and Viking knit. Beads are always on my mind!

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?

Since I was a child, I have been interested in beautiful things and have wanted to express myself in an artistic way. I have experimented with lots of crafts before finding my creative path. I started knitting with wire and beads after I bought a kit at the Craft & Quilt Show in Perth, Australia, where I lived for some years. Then I was hooked!

"Autumn Flowers" by Iha Vahlberg Orre

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?

I have to say seed beads from Miyuki, Toho and Czech Preciosa. But even some interesting gemstones, cabochons and of course Swarovski Crystals in all sizes and shapes.

Who or what inspires your creative process?

My inspiration comes from vivid and bold color combos, structures and architectural patterns. Often a beautiful cabochon or a lovely Lampwork bead can influence my design. Sometimes when I work with embroidery, I let the work guide me instead of having a sketch. 

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work? 

I love a good challenge and tend to compete in both Sweden and abroad. Now and then I participate in exhibitions with other artists in various genres. I sell my jewelry on my blog, Iha of Sweden and also on Facebook.

Congratulations, Iha and thank you for sharing your beautiful jewelry with us. We wish you all the best in your future creative endeavors!

Artist Profile: Chiara Cattaruzza - International Winner of our Ocean Treasures Contest

Chiara Cattaruzza is our International winner of the "Ocean Treasures" contest. Her winning design, "Peaceful Waves", showcased a wonderful sense of the ocean color palatte and charming sense of whimsy and creativity.  She combined pearls, charms, seed beads and more to link together this beautiful, tranquil bracelet.  

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

My name is Chiara. I am 24 and I live in Milan, Italy. I’m a university student, but in my free time I've become an eager crafter. Sometimes it is not easy to do everything, but whenever I can, I get out my beads and start creating. When I have an idea for a new piece, it’s just like in the comics: a light bulb turns on, and it doesn’t matter if I’m in the subway, eating or in class. I take out the first piece of paper I can find and I start drawing. From then on, I’m in my “beading world”…and I probably miss my subway stop, but in those little moments I am the happiest person in the world!

Peaceful Waves

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?

Since I was little, I loved to look in my mom’s jewelry box and try her necklaces on. At 12, I received as a gift my first package of beads and as soon as I had it in my hands, I made my first bracelet. From then on, I fell in love with jewelry making and started to try improving little by little with the help of my collection of beading books, magazines and web tutorials.

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?

I love to work with crystals, pearls, fire-polished glass beads, gemstones… Well, I guess I am addicted to any beautiful small treasure that helps me bring to life the designs I have in my head!

Who or what inspires your creative process?

I’m mostly inspired by nature: I love flowers, leaves, butterflies, ladybugs… Sometimes I use ideas found in magazines and books to create details of my jewelry. However, I never copy an entire project. The best part of making a piece for me is designing it, creating something special and unique. Shopping for beads is also an explosion of ideas: looking at those small treasures is a constant source of inspiration.

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work? 

At the moment, I don’t have an online shop yet, but you can see more of my creations and contact me through my facebook page at www.facebook.com/gocceargentate or my blog at www.gocceargentate.blogspot.com, where I share my ideas, projects and patterns, hopefully helping other crafters.

Thanks for sharing Chiara!  It was great to read a little bit about you and your work and we wish you the best of luck with your endeavors! 

Artist Profile: Lauren Reed - US Winner of our "In Honor Of" Contest

Winner:  "In Honor of My Mother"

Lauren was voted the #1 US entry for our contest that celebrated someone special in their lives, "In Honor Of." Lauren's piece was In Honor of My Mother. "This necklace is in honor of my mother on her 50th birthday that just passed on June 14th. The heart represents my love for her, the rice pearls, coin pearl and the moonstone are her birthstones. The whimsical swirls represent her care-free personality." -Lauren Reed

Tell us a little about yourself:

I'm a college senior majoring in Biology. Wire is my passion, I am self-taught. I also dabble in metalsmithing from time to time. I'm in the early stages of planning my wedding so hopefully I can put my creative energy to good use!

How did you get interested in jewelry making?

I started making jewelry when I was 11. It started with making beaded animal key chains that I would attach to my backpack. When I was 14 I used my allowance to purchase my first jewelry book full of various techniques, initially I was into bead weaving then I discovered wire at age 17. At 18 I began making tiaras and jewelry for friends and family and I've been hooked on wire since.

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?

My favorite materials to use are sterling silver wire and sheet metal, silver patina, pearls, and gemstones. Who or what inspires your creative process?I am inspired by curving lines found in nature, Middle-Eastern architecture, Indian patterns, and art nouveau patterns.

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work?

I have a facebook page: www.facebook.com/diademjewels and an etsy store: www.diademjewels.etsy.com

Thanks for sharing Lauren! It was wonderful to read a little bit about you and your work. We wish you all the best with your creative endeavors, and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials!

Artist Profile: Afshan Fathima Nawas - U.S. Winner of our Pantone Spring Colors Contest

Afshan Fathima Nawas was voted the #1 entry from the United States in our Spring Pantone Colors Contest with her "Birthday Earrings".  This lovely design features fun speckled beads and some really pretty wire wrapping.  We were curious to learn more about Afshan and her jewelry making journey.  Here is her story:

Tell us a little about yourself:
I'm a grad student by day and jewelry-maker on the weekends.  Ever since I discovered the magic you can create with just craft wire and beads, I have been hooked on making jewelry.

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?
I used to modify earrings that I bought, if I wasn't completely satisfied with them - separate the charms, add ear-wires and make them into two earrings. Then, one summer break, while browsing at the nearest craft store, I discovered craft wire and the infinite possibilities it held. That is how it started.

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?
Wire of different gauges, natural gemstone beads and Swarovski crystals.

Who or what inspires your creative process?
I love the intricate wire work by Iza Malczyk. The bold use of colors by Sabina G also inspire me. Of recent, I have been drawn to metal works of art by Anna-Karin Hallström and Belinda Saville.

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work?
I haven't started selling my work yet. But I have a Flickr page where you can check out more photos!

Thanks for sharing Afshan!  It was great to read a little bit about you and your work and we wish you the best of luck with your endeavors!

Artist Profile: Anastasiya Klimanova - Winner of Hot August Nights Beading Challenge

Anastasiya Klimanova was the winner of our Hot August Nights beading challenge. Her entry 'Prescient Dream's Catcher' won lots of praise for its originality and skillful execution. We were curious to learn more about Anastasiya and her jewelry making journey. Here is her story:
 
Tell us a little about yourself: 
 I’m 26 years old. I was born in Russia in the nice Siberian city Tomsk and I still live here. I’m a geographer with higher education and few years of work experience worked in my major. But today my hobby became a primary work. Since 2009 I have started to make beaded jewelry for sale. For more than a whole year I earn my leaving with handmade: jewelry, repair and re-design only. Sometimes I give beading workshops for children or grown-ups. I also have two live records on radio, two articles in local newspapers and once I had taken part in TV story.

Winning Design!

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?
All of us learn beadweaving at school on manual training. But most of us lose the enthusiasm with this kind of activity very soon. I have saved my passion for seed beads so far. I can’t remember the exact date, but I practice beadweaving for about 15 years. Some earliest works are still in jewelry box. Sometimes I take them out and look at them. Terrible sight! I show no one. It was so hard to buy seed beads that time, so I used Chinese seed beads from sewing shops and mother’s and grandmother’s old Czech seed bead jewelry. Maybe exactly mother’s passion to bijou passed to me. But she wears them, and I make. I rarely wear beads. And that is strange :)

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?
 I like to work with different materials, to play with the texture. I use felt, lace, ribbons, feathers, wire. And I try knitting, decoupage, use polymer clay and cold enamel. But all kinds of seed beads are primary materials, of course.

Who or what inspires your creative process?
The most powerful creative kick off is the phrase “Make me something” :D Often I get big pile of beads from my customers with request to do
something decent with them. That's when throes of creation begin. So I often get an inspiration from unusual materials (strange beads, that want to combine with nothing else… long bugle beads, that make you crazy and you don’t know what to do with it). When I have troubles with inspiration I simply go for a walk. Rich Siberian nature has no reflection in my creations but it helps me to get a burst of energy. Certainly I get an inspiration from the works of other masters. What would we do without the Internet?! Almost every day I go to my lovely website http://www.biser.infoto look what’s new. Discussions, blogs, exchange of know-hows… New works, new patterns. It’s senseless to list the sources of inspiration, because I have many favorite beadweavers. I like clear geometric forms and can mark two authors, who made strong influence for my creations: Gwen Fisher and Jean Power.

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work? 
You can find all the info in my blog: http://zuzuka-zero.livejournal.com/
See my best works at http://freelance.tomsk.ru/user/Zuzuka

Thanks Anastasiya! It was great to read your story and best of luck with all your endeavors!

Artist Profile: Lauren Potts winner of "Beach Days" beading contest

The winner of our "Beach Days" July beading challenge was Lauren Potts with her very pretty ocean inspired bracelet. Lauren has been kind enough to share her story with us in the interview below. 

Please tell us a bit about yourself: My name is Lauren. I'm 28 years old. I recently became an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). I've had a total of 12 pieces published between three different magazines (Bead Trends, Stringing and Jewelry Affaire) I absolutely LOVE networking with people and in groups to learn and help others in the crafty area!

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making? I always made jewelry as a kid. Once I hit my teenage years I let it go. When I hit close to 21 all my friends wanted to do was go out and drink/party. That was NOT what I was into so I spent a lot of time at home and decided to get back into crafting. I actually started back with macrame jewelry then evolved into more beading. I'm still growing and I love that; in jewelry; there is ALWAYS some new technique to learn. 

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making? My favorite materials are gemstones. I am absolutely fascinated by the earth's ability to create such WONDERFUL stones. They almost seem unreal. In my opinion they are one of the examples of natural beauty. 

 Who or what inspires your creative process? I find creativity in the colors I see EVERYWHERE and usually in really random places. For instance, a broom sitting in a corner of a green room that is yellow with a black handle became my color combo for a pair of lampwork and feather earrings. The world truly has a lot to offer for inspiration. I walked into an office once that had lilac walls and cream trim. It turned into a light amethyst and riverstone bracelet. 

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work? You can purchase my work at www.lpsjewelry.etsy.com. I also have a blog at lpsjewelry.blogspot.com

Winning Design!

Or you can follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LPjewelry. I run a fan of the month application. Anyone who comments, shares or likes a post, pic etc will earn points, the person at the end of the month with the most points is considered the top fan and will then receive a free gift from me. You can take your pic of a jewelry gift or supply gift. I LOVE free stuff and truly enjoying interacting with my fans. 

Thanks Lauren for sharing your story!

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!

Artist Profile: Serena Garland winner of The Wearing of the Green Contest

We asked Serena Garland, winner of March's The Wearing of the Green Beading Contest, to tell us a little more about herself. Read all about her journey below. 

Tell Us About Yourself:  

My name is Serena Garland, I am 50 years old. I have a son Nick, a daughter Lora and a granddaughter Katherine. In addition to making jewelry, I also love to paint. My favorite subjects to paint are butterflies, birds and flowers. I do most of my paintings in watercolors and acrylics. I live in Harrogate, Tennessee, on 80 acres, where I am surrounded by nature. Every day I see deer and wild turkeys grazing in the fields outside my window. 

Serena's Winning Piece

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?

As a young girl I can remember removing the covering from a telephone wire and using the smaller colored wires inside to fashion bracelets, rings and necklaces. My serious leap into making jewelry started about a year ago. My wrist is very small and I had purchased a bracelet that I loved, but it kept slipping onto my hand. I finally thought, how hard could it be to take it apart and make it fit? Long story short, I did it and it occurred to me that I could make more of my own bracelets to fit. I ordered about a dozen books on jewelry-making that interested me and educated myself on as many techniques as my abilities would allow. Even though I have now made hundreds of pieces, I still try to learn new things to incorporate into my work. Beadaholique has a wealth of information that has helped me learn so many new things.  

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?

Metal and wire are so intriguing to me. I find that I gravitate more to those materials than any others. You can be extra creative with wire, because it is so versatile. I have recently taken a class on wire-working and will be trying some new ways to use wire soon. Honestly, I love using things that most people would never think to use in jewelry, and nothing is really off-limits for me. 

Who or what inspires your creative process?  

Most of my inspiration comes from the materials themselves; they just seem to beckon me to be made into a particular piece. There is no preparation done on my part, I just sit down and look at the things before me and then I begin working. But truly, most of my inspiration comes from family and friends, their support and encouragement is what drives me to be creative. They have so much faith in me, that it keeps me motivated to work and improve on my abilities to create new and better pieces. I would like to especially thank my best friend, Melinda for all of her pushing to make me work in the beginning. Another special thank you to my son for his support.  

  

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work? 

As of this time, there is no place to see any of my work. The name of my company will be called “DaisyKat” and my son is in the process of creating a website for me. Hopefully, we should be up and running soon. I will also have an Etsy shop very soon.
 
 

Artist Profile: Carrie Grabowicz - Bead Artist and Love Is In The Air Contest Winner

Tell us about yourself:
Carrie is a self-taught jewelry artist. Her background is in public health, but after her children were born she became a stay-at-home Mom. After the dust settled, she needed to find things that kept her busy including yoga, reading, and all things crafty. She lives in Chester County, PA with her husband and two sons. She also has two Boston terrier dogs. 

Winning Design: Key To My Heart

How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?
It all started in July 2008 with a trip to the Outer Banks, NC. Hammi Jammi Jewelry owner/designer, Carrie Grabowicz, created her first necklace in a bead shop.
I fell in love with the design process and the rest is history. Hammi Jammi is a name I calls my children when they are acting like “hams” and I also loves pigs so the name is fitting for fun, everyday jewelry. 

What are your favorite materials to use in jewelry making?
I really love to use ceramics and unique pendants, along with gemstones. I have some great vendors that I purchase from regularly. Really, I make a little bit of everything for every taste. Currently, I am on a shamballa style bracelet kick...using leather and ceramic beads. 

Is there somewhere people can see/purchase your work?
I currently sell on consignment and wholesale to several local shops. And I just got the opportunity to sell on consignment at a new store opening March 23 in Brigantine, NJ. Additionally, I sell at some farmer's markets in the area, teach jewelry classes to girl scout groups and day camps, sell online at www.carriegrab419.etsy.com or www.threesistersmarketplace.com/hammijammijewelry.com. I also write about my jewelry musings at www.hammijammijewelry.blogspot.com.

Artist Profile: Megan Patton

Megan, Dress by Megan

We have a new designer here at Beadaholique!  For months and months we searched for just the right person who was creative, crafty, enterprising, organized and, most of all, loved to bead! We needed someone who was not afraid to try new things, who delighted in tangled strands of awesomeness, and would want to wax eloquently about how to bead and what inspires them. We had honestly almost given up hope and then a delightful little polymer cupcake popped onto our computer screens. Intrigued, we dove further into the website and portfolio of Megan Patton and invited her in for a chat.

Megan is a joy to work with; her laughter and cheery spirit are infectious. Her designs are so very pretty and constantly have us saying "Wow, I would not have thought of that!" - which is exactly what you want in a designer.  We are thrilled that Megan is part of our team and proud to introduce her here. Below is a series of questions we asked Megan so that you can get to know her better. Happy Reading!

Polymer Clay Cupcakes

Q.  How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?

A.  I have always been crafty, and would receive craft supplies for presents quite often.  One year for my birthday, my mom bought me an organizer full of beads and jewelry making supplies.  I was hooked!  I was in high school at the time, and I remember that all of my friends got beaded jewelry for their birthdays that year.

Q.  What is your educational background in the arts?  

A.  I have a bachelor's degree in theatre and I also attended fashion school.  Most of my education has been focused on visual, practical, and performing arts.  But I have been an avid self-teacher my whole life.  When I want to learn how to do something new, I learn what I can from books and tutorials, and I wing it!

Go Go Girl Costume by Megan

Q.  How would you describe your design aesthetic?

A.  I love delicate, feminine, dainty, simple jewelry with beautiful details.  I love vintage style and pops of color.  I also go for quirky, fun designs that indulge my (not-so-inner) child.

Q.  What inspires your creative process?

A.  I love to look through the materials that are available to me to get inspiration.  I see a particular component and start to imagine all the ways I could use it.  I also tend to get some of my better ideas when I'm not trying to.  I get struck with ideas when I'm falling asleep or doing everyday things.  They're like little creative gifts from my subconscious.


Q.  Who inspires you/your creative process?

A.  My family is incredibly creative.  My father is a graphic artist and musician, my mother is an artist and illustrator, my step-mother is an artist and cake-decorator, my sister used to dance professionally, and my brother is a musician.  Frankly, they would probably have been disappointed if I had decided to be an accountant.  Coming from a family like mine nurtured every creative impulse I had growing up and has inspired me to always follow my creative passions.

Q.  Do you work best in chaos or an orderly workspace?

A.  I tend to create clutter.  I think it's just something that comes with being artistic.  I try to battle the clutter as much as I can, because it makes it hard for me to focus.  I'll usually leave things a bit messy, but then clean up before I start the next project, so that I have a fresh space to begin in.

Knitting Keychain

Q.  What are your current favorite materials to use for making jewelry?

A.  I work a lot with polymer clay, making miniature cupcakes and other sweets.  I think it's amazingly versatile.  I also love seed beads, and intricate bead weaving.

Q.  Is there a jewelry-making technique that you are currently intrigued by?

A.  I've only dabbled in resin work, and I'm starting to experiment and play with what it can do.  I love the idea of sculpting original components in clay, making a mold, and then casting them in resin.

Megan & Kris

Q.  Is there a jewelry-making technique that you haven’t tried yet but want to try/learn/use?

A.  I haven't worked much with metal.  I want to get more into wire wrapping and stamping.

Q.  Are you or have you been actively involved in creating work in artistic media other than jewelry?

A.  Yes!  I have been sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidering since a very young age.  I've done fashion design, theatrical costume and make up design, writing, acting, illustration, and even millinery.

Q.  What is the favorite piece of jewelry or art that you own?

A.  My favorite piece of jewelry is my engagement ring.  It's absolutely gorgeous, and it means the world to me - just like the man who gave it to me.

Q.  Who is your favorite jewelry designer/artist?

A.  Faryn Davis.  She does amazing things with resin!  She does hand painted pieces and found object pieces that are just incredible.  One of my other favorite pieces of jewelry is my Faryn Davis necklace.  It was the first gift my fiance gave me.

Pink Cupcake Illustration on Zazzle

Q.  Are there other areas of your life that you feel are or have been enriched by your creation of jewelry?

A.  Being creative makes me feel more myself.  It enriches my entire life experience.  It has also enables me to handcraft gifts for my loved-ones, which reminds them how much I care about them.

Q.  Is there someplace people can see/purchase jewelry or artwork that you have made, other than Beadaholique.com? 


A.  I sell my cupcake jewelry on PinkSugarBakery.com and a variety of jewelry, accessories, and apparel in my etsy shop: MyCatHatesYou.  I'm currently working on a new etsy shop, MaeMaeMills.  I'm really excited about some of the new directions that my work is going in, and I'm looking forward to getting it up and running.  I also have a huge number of items on CafePress and Zazzle that sport my little pink cupcake illustration.

Polymer Clay Donut Charm Bracelet