About
The World Is My Inspiration
I am inspired by color, unusual shapes and faceted stones in both gemstone and crystal. A friend talked me into taking a jewelry class with her at a local bead store 20 years ago after listening to me complain about a broken necklace clasp. I enjoyed the class so much that several followed. When I saw the design possibilities, I was hooked! As I designed, entering jewelry design contests seemed a natural progression in my career, culminating in earning Finalist status in four International beading contests in 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2021. My designs were featured in “Rock Hounds” and “Inspiration” magazines.
Before I joined the Etsy Community, I learned during my many years doing craft shows what a customer expects in product quality and customer service in addition to original handmade designs. Getting to know my customer has given focus to my Etsy Shop so many thanks to my customers who took the time to give my designs a five star review.
I studied painting and drawing for several years with my mentor acclaimed artist Bennie White, Jr., culminating in being awarded a first place Blue Ribbon at the Michigan State Fair for one of my oil paintings. I have earned four beautification awards for my home gardens from my city of residence.
Playing with color in every medium is fun and inspiring. Jewelry-making provides me with an additional outlet for my creativity. Working with nature's gifts keeps my outlook optimistic--who could help but smile at all the wonderful colors and textures that are part of the world we live in? I am blessed to work in a medium that provides me with so much happiness. Working with gemstones from Mother Nature always provides stress relief from daily problems encountered with everyday living.
My Etsy shop Sunshine Gem Studio would not run smoothly without my Shipping and Receiving Manager, Walt K. He helps keep my inventory organized, signs for my component purchases (he has become great friends with my mail carrier!) and my orders always ship on time; he drives my packages to the Post Office as soon as they are wrapped. Thanks Walt! I couldn’t do this without you!
My parting well-intentioned advice to other jewelry artists is to only work with materials you love and "speak" to you, otherwise your designs will look forced and uninspired. Follow the trends but avoid copying other artists' designs; it will stifle your creativity. Use what you see as a jumping-off point but always come up with your own original ideas. Sweating through figuring out color, placement, and the design will teach you more in one piece of jewelry than making dozens of copies. My goal is to try to set the trends, not offer copies of others ideas.
Before I joined the Etsy Community, I learned during my many years doing craft shows what a customer expects in product quality and customer service in addition to original handmade designs. Getting to know my customer has given focus to my Etsy Shop so many thanks to my customers who took the time to give my designs a five star review.
I studied painting and drawing for several years with my mentor acclaimed artist Bennie White, Jr., culminating in being awarded a first place Blue Ribbon at the Michigan State Fair for one of my oil paintings. I have earned four beautification awards for my home gardens from my city of residence.
Playing with color in every medium is fun and inspiring. Jewelry-making provides me with an additional outlet for my creativity. Working with nature's gifts keeps my outlook optimistic--who could help but smile at all the wonderful colors and textures that are part of the world we live in? I am blessed to work in a medium that provides me with so much happiness. Working with gemstones from Mother Nature always provides stress relief from daily problems encountered with everyday living.
My Etsy shop Sunshine Gem Studio would not run smoothly without my Shipping and Receiving Manager, Walt K. He helps keep my inventory organized, signs for my component purchases (he has become great friends with my mail carrier!) and my orders always ship on time; he drives my packages to the Post Office as soon as they are wrapped. Thanks Walt! I couldn’t do this without you!
My parting well-intentioned advice to other jewelry artists is to only work with materials you love and "speak" to you, otherwise your designs will look forced and uninspired. Follow the trends but avoid copying other artists' designs; it will stifle your creativity. Use what you see as a jumping-off point but always come up with your own original ideas. Sweating through figuring out color, placement, and the design will teach you more in one piece of jewelry than making dozens of copies. My goal is to try to set the trends, not offer copies of others ideas.