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"My work has an old, industrial feel to it. I love the way old factory parts look, like the inside of a clock, so I keep those things in mind when I'm designing. I use sterling silver for all my work, sometimes adding 14kt gold, copper and/or brass.I have always loved art and crafts and I always loved making things. When I was in high school, I really didn't like school, but always looked forward to my art classes. I took a beginner jewelry making class, as a senior, and that's where it all began. After graduating from high school, I went to Maryland Institute, College of Art where I got a degree in illustration. As much as I loved to draw, I always took jewelry classes on my days off. I spent a lot of time in the jewelry studio learning things through trial-and-error. After graduating from college, I worked as a freelance illustrator for about nine months and realized it wasn' the life for me, so I moved home. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life, so I got a job in a jewelry store, at the local mall. I also worked for a woman who made costume jewelry. Meanwhile, I started doing repairs at the store and started making jewelry for the store. The owner's son had been doing the repairs for years and taught me a lot of stuff. He left to pursue a different career (we also got married and now have three kids). After my kids started going to school, I decided I wanted to make jewelry full time and got into doing craft shows. I grew up in Ossining, New York and I am one of eight kids. I love doing creative things but I also love playing sports. I play basketball, softball, tennis and snowboarding in the winter. (I'm not the greatest athlete, but I try really hard!). I have three sons who have made me so much more creative then I ever was. We now live in Ardsley, New York. I have a small studio behind our house that's totally falling apart, but works just fine for me. There I make my jewelry, make glass beads, do stained glass and draw and sometimes paint. I do five to eight craft shows a year in New York and Connecticut. Since my kids still somewhat need me, I don't travel too far. I would like to venture out in the future - maybe trying new shows and selling work in galleries. The price range of my work varies from $45 to $800. My favorite craft show moment is always when someone says they love my work and that it's so different. I want my work to be unique, even when it's simple and I love when people say so. I also have to say, I loved getting the two awards I received. I got second place, for fine jewelry, at the Bruce Museum craft show and I got third place for fine craft at the SONO craft festival. I have been doing craft shows for about eight years and I have seen some changes. I think people are now coming to craft shows as serious buyers. They want something new and unique, not something you can buy in a store. The customers ask a lot more questions, like how something is made and how you came up with the idea. I also feel people get put off at the high price of admission to many craft shows. Much of the merchandise being sold is high-end and expensive, so people don't want to spend a lot at the door to get in. The craft shows themselves are changing. I think certain promoters let people in sometimes just to fill the booth spaces. Last year I did a show and so many of the vendors didn't even make what they were selling. I know how hard I work at my jewelry and it's discouraging when you see stuff that is not "craft show worthy", it ruins the integrity of the show. I like doing craft shows. It's nice to get out and meet the people who like your work. When I sell something special to a person, they'll put it on and when I see it on them, it feels like I made it just for them. It's good to see people's reactions to your work and get feedback-positive and negative. Plus, I love to walk around and see everyone's work. It's so inspirational! |