May 2, 2012

Shiny Pretty Things


Like many creative people, I've been tinkering and playing with pretty much any art form I could get my hands on for my whole life. When I was a kid I was so fortunate to be able to spend many many hours with older ladies and men that taught me traditional Cherokee beading. Our family is Eastern Cherokee/Catawba and when we were kids we spent quite a bit of time going to powwows and being exposed to the beautiful legacy we were born into. So, from as far back as I can remember, I've had a needle and seed beads in hand, doing everything I could get anyone to teach me. Loom work, bead embroidery, bead weaving, and making jewelry were some of my favorite toys and it just kind of stuck with me. Somewhere during my college years I branched out and started fiddling with non-Indian beadwork and making glass and gemstone jewelry. I'm the first to admit that those first attempts were sweet, but kind of pitiful. But I put my heart into it, and in time I got more proficient and expanded my "tool belt" of jewelry making skills. Several years ago I was selling in a few galleries and shops in Savannah, GA. It started out as just the normal wholesale business of creating jewelry, and selling it through these galleries. But gradually more and more people started commissioning unique one-of-a-kind pieces, instead of buying what was in stock.





 I was surprised at first, but as I worked with these people and learned about them, I was surprised to find that I enjoyed this part of the business so much more. It's great to make something purely out of your own creativity and imagine who will wear it, and what part of their lives it will have. But it was really wonderful to meet these people and hear what mattered to them, sometimes the story of the person they may be buying for, and what kind of piece they imagined. I could see the joy and passion on their faces when the pieces were delivered, and 
I know that my art is going to be loved
 and cherished and possibly passed 
down to future generations.

I've gone through phases and seasons of making necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, and then drifting away from it in pursuit of other creative outlets. After all, there's only so many hours in the day, and too many art forms to explore for one lifetime. 


  I like seeing how my style and look changes through these off-times. Lately I'm really into gemstones (mostly semi-precious), pearls, and sterling silver. My look has definitely become more refined than rustic, and I love the feminine sensibility of creating beauty for beauty's sake. Last Christmas I made some pieces for gifts, and also selling at a local boutique/gallery. I've been thinking about putting an Etsy shop together, but haven't really had enough direction to get there yet. But it's on my list for sure. For now I'm content to keep stringing and soldering and hunting for that perfect piece of stone that will finish off the piece that's been waiting for it. 


The depth of colors and the way the light plays on the facets of the gemstones is so beautiful to me, and no matter how many pearls I buy, I always manage to find a new type I haven't seen before and just can't seem to keep my hands off of them. Being able to make a financial profit from doing something you love is the dream of most artists and I don't take my blessing lightly. But as great as it is to create for pay, the bigger motivation is the creation process itself. Once I'm done with a piece, my part is over and it's time for it to live with someone else and bring them joy as well. Hopefully these pieces are going to loving homes, and I truly do hope that they bless everyone that wears them.