Bead Peeps Swap 'n Hop - Getting to know you.

Hey Everyone,

Some of you may know that I'm doing the Bead Peeps Swap n Hop again this year. So cool right?
This time round I have the lovely Linda from "From the Bead Board" as my partner. She is also the event organiser....talk about pressure!

 

So...lets get to know a little about me and my jewelry making.

  

1. Why or how did you get started making jewelry

My mom and I found a bead shop not far from where we lived, when I was about 12. I made a pair of earrings that day and my mom was so impressed with them that I snuck back during the holidays to make another pair for her birthday. 

I was hooked! But the bead shop didn't last long and it was a good many years later before I found another shop. I was in my early 20s when I started creating again and I was making and selling my jewelry to all my work mates. 

My first love is creating simple, wearable jewelry and sharing the tutorials with everyone.

 

2 What style(s) of jewelry do you like to make?

 I love simple clean pieces and I would say my style is casual and classic. 

I do like to try different styles though, it's always fun and rewarding to see what I can create. I love working with charms, especially ones with inspirational words.

My inspiration and passion is the beach and ocean - It is reflected in most of my creations from the colours to the "flow" of the piece. 

3. What materials do you prefer to use (and which ones do you avoid)? 

I'm open to working with any materials and I love to "upcycle" pieces. I have to admit I'm not a huge fan of working with fabric in pieces. I like seeing how other designers add fabric to their pieces but in my creations, it never quite works.
I also struggle a little with copper, I'm not sure why though.
 

 4. Which techniques do you prefer (and are there any that you don't like)?

I like to simply string beads if I'm making an item with just beads. However I love to make my own dome pendants. There's just something in creating an image and viewing it under glass. I prefer a simple chain to offset the pendant.
 I am a huge fan of memory wire and creating bracelets.
 

 5. What colors do you use most, and which do you run screaming from?

 Turquoise, turquoise, turquoise....
I also love jades, blues, aquas and white

I'll pretty much work with any colour but I do get a bit stumped with pinks though!

 

Some other random trivia: 

I'm originally from Durban, South Africa but have lived in Auckland New Zealand for 13 years.
I have 3 amazing kids.
I'm trained as a Microbiologist but am currently a stay at home mum. 
I'm deathly afraid of spiders!
I love to joke and laugh.
My son and I have the same wicked, slightly warped sense of humour. 
I have 5 tattoos.

I love the beach.
 I also paint - a lot. I makeover furniture and paint signs.

I help others as much as I can.

Each piece has a story to tell....listen 

Take care 

xxx