Happy Friday everyone! For today's FABULOUS FRIDAY we've got two talented Jewelry artists for you to meet! First, here is Beki Hastings of The Rusted Chain . . .
Beki Hastings began making custom jewelry in 2003. Since that time, her products have been featured in various parenting magazines, Pediped shoe advertisements, Law and Order Criminal Intent, and are sold in local upscale boutiques and internationally.
Her designs feature the best of timeless elegance and trendy looks, with the end result being quality jewelry that will look as new and fresh years from now as it does today. Each piece is custom made using sterling silver, natural stones, and the finest components.
Beki is also a photographer and blogger. She lives in Kansas with her husband, and her three children, a daughter, aged 9, and two sons ages 8 and 3. A former flight attendant, Beki is truly enjoying being home with her children. Being a designer is, she says, the best way for her to remain home with her family and still have a creative outlet.
Our next talented Jewelry artist is Lisa Crone . . . .
I have been making beaded jewelry for approximately 18 years. I started out teaching myself and then discovered there were many publications available to learn new techniques. I have also taken classes during two beading cruises where I learned wire wrapping, peyote stitch and bead weaving. I spent a period of about 5 years traveling to local craft shows with a business partner to display and sell our designs.
A couple of years ago I was looking for inspiration to make a piece of jewelry, but couldn't seem to find any. I got my beads out and it just so happened that some recent vacation pictures were out on the coffee table as well. I picked them up as a diversion and had fun reliving our trip to Niagara Falls, Canada. It was then I had the "you got your peanut butter in my chocolate" moment. I thought it would be fun to try to replicate the falls in a piece of jewelry so I could remember the trip.I felt very energized and began looking for beads immediately. Once I finished that piece, I looked through other vacation photos and even started looking around in nature and the artwork I surround myself with and
felt like I had tapped an unused source of inspiration.
When I had a third of the projects completed and submitted them to a publisher for their feedback, I was ecstatic that they were interested and once it looked like we were going to do the book, they suggested I have a blog. I have been blogging every single day since and LOVE it. I have met wonderful people and been exposed to a loving and supportive community of artists and crafters that I had no idea were available anytime via my laptop!
It's been a wonderful experience and one that I hope is neverending! I enjoy featuring a new bead maker/jewelry designer each Friday, my own project on Saturday and showcasing a single bead or finding every other day of the week. I also enjoy teaching beading projects to groups or individuals, especially for the look of accomplishment on a person’s face when they have completed a beading project they never thought they could make themselves.
In addition, I have a bachelor of science degree from Bowling Green State University in the field of Child and Family Community Services and have been employed full time with the same company for over 19 years.
Thanks so much ladies for sharing your inspiring stories with us. It makes me want to pull out my jewelry kit and get to work!
How about you?
Beki and Lisa are each offering a giveaway to our WWC readers:
*Beki is offering a $30.00 gift certificate to her store, The Rusted Chain. She's also offering a special discount to our blog readers! Simply enter this code at checkout WWC10 for a 10% discount on your purchase! Please visit The Rusted Chain at www.therustedchain.com .
*Lisa is offering a copy of her brand new book, A Bead In Time to one lucky commenter. Please visit Lisa's blog at www.abeadaday.blogspot.com
Thanks so much ladies for your VERY generous donations!
To enter, simply leave a comment to this post.
Extra entries:
*Following WWC on Twitter www.twitter.com/wherewomencreat
*Following The Creative Connection on Twitter www.twitter.com/TCCEvent
*Adding a WWC button to your blog
*Adding a TCC button to your blog
*Tweeting about this contest
Please remember to leave separate comments for each entry. We'll be announcing our winners on Tuesday, so make sure to get your comments in by Monday, March 22st at Midnight (MST).
GOOD LUCK and HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
How kind! Both are talented artists, and one would be lucky to win their generous gifts!
I can’t wait to check this out! I love women who create! :)
Thanks for introducing those two wonderful artists. :) Thanks also for the chance to win one of these goodies.
Happy creating,
Birgit
What gorgeous jewelry! Both ladies are so talented!
I follow WWC on twitter.
I follow the Creative Connection on twitter.
I tweeted, too!
Two fabulous and talented ladies!
WWC button on my blog
TCC button on my blog
I don’t tweet but I follow BOTH pages on Facebook =)
lovely work. talanted women. i especially like the necklaces. great feature…i’m really going to like this new “friday thing”! so inspiring!
xoxo
great art by some very talented ladies!
I get so inspired from learning what fuels the spark in an artist’s work. Thank you for the introduction to such great jewelry!
Looks good!
Thanks for the chance.
Cheryl
Don’t think that went through… these look great!
Thanks for the chance.
Cheryl
what great prizes, hope I win.
Would wear either one of these talented ladies’ creations with pride! Would love to win!
I am always in awe each time a new artist is featured in blogland. So many talented women out there – their creative juices just flowing like crazy!- makes me desire to be a bit more creative with the few juices I have!
bee blessed
mary
Wow such great artists… I could go crazy at both places. Thanks for the giveaway
It’s always inspiring to hear from women who have created their own lives, giving them joy and a sense of purpose. Wonderful!
not only do I appreciate how WHERE WOMEN CREATE / Jo introduces us to all these amazing artists — I SO love getting to “know” their work. thank you, WWC/Jo, and thank you to Beki and Lisa for such generous gifts to us. :-) — Davielle in Encinitas
Great to see such talented ladies who enjoy their work.
Love both ladies jewelry.
I have WWC posted on my blog.
Beautiful stuff, love the charms from Rusted Chain and the fab bead flower Lisa did.
such talented ladies! thanks for the opp to adorn myself with their generous gifts! lonked to my facebook!
heart Hugs,
Coleen
love the blog.great jewelry!
Each of the incredible women featured inspire me to find my creative path…I so love this publication and honor the women who have found their passion and choose to follow their dreams against all odds…keep the inspiration coming…
Beautiful stamped pendants. I’ve seen her work on Etsy. Lovely beaded jewelry too! Great artists to feature.
I absolutely LOVE Lisa’s Dandeline Necklace. What FUN! She has a lot of talent. Beki’s simple designs are soooo classy and speak to the HEART. Thank you for sharing their stories, they are both an inspiration.
Super giveaway, great idea for inspiration!
What a great giveaway! I love being inspired by life around me, too.
I follow WWC on Twitter as NancySabina
I’ve seen Beki’s work before and I have a friend who is a fan as well. I enjoyed learning about both women!
I LOVE Beki’s work, in fact I was wondering around etsy the other day and came across her shop… So many beautiful pieces. I love how etsy promotes their artists. Rock on jewelry makers!!!
Wonderful features! Thank you for the chance to win!
Following WWC on Twitter – melaniescrafts
Following The Creative Connection on Twitter – melaniescrafts
How wonderful for us that two very creative artist are sharing with us… thanks so much
Wonderful inspiration for all!
Both ladies are so talented. It would be an honor to own a piece for there work.
Very pretty!
Pretty stuff! Thank you for entering me.
I have a creative connection button on my blog.
I have a Where Women Create button on my blog.
I am following WWC on Twitter!
I am following TCC on Twitter.
Beautiful work from both of these artist!
Thanks for sharing these artists!
I follow WWC on Twitter!
I follow TCC on twitter, too!
Added WCC button to my blog!
Added TCC button to my blog!
Both these ladies do lovely work and it would be a joy to wear something by either one!
I am always inspired by other artists. I’m so glad to have discovered this blog!
What lovely creations from the talented women. It is certainly kind of them to share their work and to give the readers an opportunity to win. Thank you!
How fun! I love the jewelry of these talented ladies. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love those necklaces, yummy, i need one!
Thanks for introducing us to these two wonderful artists! I love the jewelry!! Put my name in the hat please!!
Wonderful giveaways! I would LOVE to win them.
Smiles~
Marilyn
I follow WWC on Twitter (as TarnishedRose).
Smiles~
Marilyn
I follow TCC on Twitter (under TarnishedRose).
Smiles~
Marilyn
I have the WWC button on my blog!
Smiles~
Marilyn
I have the TCC button on my blog!
Smiles!
Marilyn
Beautiful work.
LOVE The Rusted Chain! So simple yet so elegant!
Following on Twitter! @joannajosie
Tweeted it too! @joannajosie
Following WWC on Twitter also. @joannajosie
Really loved the “It’s time for Daisies” piece Lisa did on A Bead A Day. Really beautiful!
Love the magazine Where Woman Create and so Happy to be following on both facebook and twitter. I went in and took a peek at the wonderful jewelry each of these artists have created- love.
thanks~
teri.
love the look of both…would be fun to win either!
I was thrilled to see Lisa was inspired by Niagara Falls! I live a mere 30 minutes from that world wonder and never get tired of visiting. Nature is the greatest source of my inspiration. I look forward to checking out her blog.
Beki’s pieces are adorable! I love the tiny little gems she chooses and I’m a big fan of the ball chain. I can’t wait to go check out her site – I’m sure the eye candy will leave me drooling :)
OH my gosh! I just popped over to Beki’s store- LOVE the necklace that reads “I have all I need”. What a great piece.
I also added the WWC button to my blog:
http://beadingheartart.blogspot.com
It is inspiring to meet ladies who follow their artistic dreams. Lovely giveaways too.
Beautiful work from both artists!
Love Beki/Rusted Chain’s designs. The pairing of letters with delicate beads appeals to the visual and literary parts of me! Lisa’s work is stunning. The colors are brilliant.
Following on Twitter!
love!
I’m new to beading (long time paper crafter), it is wonderful to have two new sources to go to for ideas, inspiration, and technique help. Thanks for the give aways. Laura D
love those beaded pieces!!!
I love finding out about artists, their “beginnings” and their inspiration! Would love to win!
I follow WWC on Twitter!
I love them both!! Especially the dandelions!!! What great inspiration!!!
button on my blog!!!
RhinestoneContessa.com
following on TCC twitter!!! …..@Gardendesigner
enthusiastically following WWC on twitter also! ~~~~~~~~~~~ @gardendesigner
posted a tweet!!! …. yeah!!!!
Now I am off to create!!!!
Beautiful jewelry, ladies!
Following CC event on Twitter
Following WWC on Twitter
what a generous giveaway!
it’s always so fun and interesting to learn how people entered the world of blogging!
xo
elyse
Hi Jo:
I am having a “Blue Monday” Giveaway…come by and take a peek.
Have a terrific week!
Stay Cozy, Carrie
Would love a chance to win! I’m a follower of both WWC and TCC. Have tweeted it via (nct621) and added the WWC button to my blog http://www.lovestocreate.com left sidebar Thanks for all you share!
I would love to win!!!!!
Both ladies are so different, and yet so talented. So awesome to get to see both. Thanks so much for the opportunity to see both of them and their gorgeous creations. Looking forward to seeing who wins!
Fridays are always so wonderful here. Thanks for the two new artists; they’re doing great work.