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!
