Meet the Designer :: Kimberlee Peters of SingingCat Studios

Allow me to introduce to you artist Kimberlee Peters of SingingCat Studios.

I first came across Kim's beautifully detailed polymer clay in a bracelet that she submitted to the February ABS Monthly Challenge. I love the dreamy quality of the color palettes she uses, the intricate textures and the mixed media focus with the addition of antique buttons and the like. And the fact that she makes them as pretty from the back as they are from the front tells me that she really cares about her art. Come along and learn a bit about Kim...

EPH:: How long have you been making jewelry? What got you started doing this? Have you taken classes or are you self-taught?

KP:: I've always liked beads; I used to design and make women's clothing for a living and love fabric, ribbon, beads, anything related to fiber and jewelry.  Finally, I started to make jewelry about five years ago after I took a basic stringing class at a local bead store. The class immediately turned me into a complete beadaholic, and I've been collecting beads and making jewelry ever since. I've taken only one other jewelry class, a beadweaving class that got me hooked on seed beads. As for working with polymer clay, I am entirely self-taught.

EPH:: What is the meaning behind your name "SingingCatStudio"?

KP:: I have three cats--Oliver, Tallulah, and Maddy (she insists on spelling her name with a "y")-- all of whom "sing" in their own unique style.

EPH:: I first found you when I was seeking components for the February 2011 ABS challenge of Sargeant's painting. Your polymer clay beads are soft and ethereal. Have you always worked in polymer clay? What draws you to this medium?

KP:: I started to work with polymer about two years ago. I was attracted to the medium because it is versatile and can be combined with so many other materials. I am especially drawn to color, so I use mica powders in all of my work and am always looking for new colors.

EPH:: How has your style evolved from when you started until now?

KP:: When I started working with polymer, I had no style. I experimented for almost a year before I developed my current technique. About ten months ago I also started to finish the back of my beads with stamping ink and liquid polymer. I now look at earlier pieces and feel that they are incomplete and not as polished as my current work. My jewelry is becoming somewhat more complex although I need to continue to work with new materials and styles.

EPH:: Where do you find your greatest inspirations?

KP:: Inspiration comes from everywhere. Although I am a writing professor, I have a master's degree in art history, so I'm definitely inspired by art, especially early twentieth century art. I also find inspiration in nature and fashion. Honestly, I often times don't know where my ideas come from. I'm just glad they arrive.

EPH:: As anyone who is creative knows there is always something new to learn. If you could learn one thing that you don't know how to do, whether it is related to your beadmaking or not, what would that be?

KP:: I get to pick only one thing?! I'll stick with beading and say that I need to learn better and more wire techniques.

EPH:: What is next for SingingCatStudio?

KP:: I'm hoping to do some craft shows this summer and will continue to exhibit at bead shows, including Bead Fest Philadelphia in August. I'm working on new shapes and types of beads, and simply want to continue to push my jewelry making and designing skills and creativity.

Thanks for taking the time to share a bit of your process with us, Kim! We look forward to seeing more of your interpretations of the ABS Monthly Challenges, especially the newest one with its ethereal subject and dreamy palette. Visit Kim's Etsy shop to purchase her complete pieces in necklaces, bracelets and pins, and also to buy her pendants and focals for use in your own creations.

SingingCat Studios Etsy shop can be reached at: http://www.singingcatstudio.com

Visit SingingCat Studios online:

SingingCat Studios Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Singing-Cat-Studio/149196388454385?ref=ts

View more beauties in the Flickr photo stream at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/singingcatstudio/

Erin Prais-Hintz writes about all things that inspire her at Treasures Found::Inspiration Is Everywhere. Her jewelry designs are one-of-a-kind made one-at-a-time. She collects quotes and dust and invites you to send her your favorite (quote - not dust!) to enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com.

Enjoy the day!

Designer Interview- Elizabeth Del Monte

Pink Quartz Fairy Necklace, art bead from Green Girl Studio

Let me introduce you to Elizabeth Del Monte. She is an amazing jewelry designer with the most cheerful personality. Her excitement about beads is contagious. Read on to find out more about Elizabeth...

JH: What is your personal name, business name, website and location?

ED: Hi, I’m Elizabeth Del Monte. That is my name and my business name. I have a store at Etsy which is very conveniently named the same, http://www.elizabethdelmonte.etsy.com/. I also have a blog, http://www.elizabethdelmonte.blogspot.com/.

JH: What kind of jewelry do you make? What types of materials do you prefer? what kinds of art beads do you use?

ED: My jewelry can be described as contemporary. I work mainly with silver and gemstones although I love the look of oxidized copper. I try to use it as much as I can. My favorite art beads are metal (silver/copper/pewter/bronze) pendants. I build a story around them and lampwork beads.

JH: How did you get into jewelry design? What are some of the important things you do for your business?

ED: I started making jewelry in 2007 with the objective of preserving my mother’s pieces. A friend showed me how to do my first bracelet and from then on I couldn’t stop. I am a believer in education and I take every class I can get my hands too. I try to improve myself as a jewelry artist every day.

For my business I use Etsy, I host several open houses a year, and I carry a photo album of my work with me (scrapbooking style). That way I carry my inventory with me all the time and show people what I’m working on. So far networking and relationships have been my most successful venues for selling my jewelry.

I think it is also very important to give back. I do a fundraising design every year for Relay for Life (Cancer Research Fundraising Event). This year my design is a Swing Gemstone pendant necklace and earring set. All profits will go to my team. You can find more details at my website and blog.

Copper Fun Ceramic Necklace, art bead from Jangles

JH: What is your workspace like and how do you work in your studio? What is a typical day like?

ED: My studio is a work in progress. I have half of my office, a portion of the family room and a portion of the garage…not very practical, but a start. I hope to have a real studio some day.

I work in finance for a telecommunication company, so I design jewelry at night and during weekends. Sometimes my family is jealous of the bench…I don’t blame them.

JH: How do you stay inspired and motivated?

ED: My inspiration comes from different sources, magazines, books, the internet, nature, and most important the beads themselves. Motivation is not difficult for me because this is what I do for fun.

JH: What kinds of art beads do you look for? Is there a bead you wish an artist would make for you?

ED: Normally I look for anything that I can make a pendant. I always gravitate to the “V” shape of a beautiful necklace with a focal art bead. Any bead with a heart shape is my favorite.

JH: What beady plans do you have for the future? Do you have new designs or ideas you will be exploring soon?

ED: This year I will be certified in Metal Clay. My vision right now is to design my own pendants and build around them with semi precious stones. The stones have such an amazing energy that I can’t see myself working without them.

Dominican Dream Necklace. This necklace was a finalist in the 2010 Bead Star completion under the gemstones category. I built the art bead with a Larimar stone and a fancy bead cap. I designed the silver charms and included words that remind me of my country, the Dominican Republic. The other gemstone is Amber. Both stones are typical from my country and specifically the Larimar, can only be found there.

Flower Center Jasper Necklace. The art bead for this necklace was constructed from a metal flower from Gail Grossman Moore and a lampwork disk from Kimberly Branch.

Jewelry Designer Interview - Kim Roberts of Bahama Dawn

I chose to interview Kim Roberts of Bahama Dawn, it's a jewelry designer interview but Kim does so much more than design jewelry. She is lucky enough to live on Abaco Island in the Bahamas. After reading the interview be sure to check out here blog to see all of the fun things shes creates. You won't believe everything she does, I wonder if she ever sleeps.....

JH: What is your personal name, business name, website and location?

KR: Kimberly Roberts, BahamaDawn. I have a website which is http://www.bahamadawn.com/; and a blog which is http://www.bahamadawn.blogspot.com/. From my blog you can go to my flickr site as well, where there are alot of jewelry pictures.

I also have an Etsy store, but it takes me forever to get images uploaded so there is not alot there - http://www.bahamadawn.etsy.com/.JH: What kind of jewelry do you make? What types of materials do you prefer? what kinds of art beads do you use?
KR:nMy jewelry consists of metal smithing, flame working, wire working, stained glass and ceramic pieces. I prefer metal and glass for materials, but sometimes like to incorporate other items like embroidered pieces sandwiched between glass. I also love to bezel sea glass for components in my jewelry. I love to experiment! I also try to make most, if not all of my components. Working with copper and stamping on it for focals is another love of mine. The metal stamping is great therapy also!

Most art beads are my own pieces, but I love using Jangles pieces and Gaea's pieces - both ceramic artists.
JH: How did you get into jewelry design? What are some of the important things you do for your business?
KR:I got into jewelry making a few years back when the Ministry of Tourism, here in Abaco, hosted several classes. One was wire working, then there was a class teaching us how to make beads from sand, and another one was a class that taught us how to use pieces from the coconut shell. I still love to use the coconut shell, but it can be extremely messy.

Some of the most important things I do for my business are: 1. advertising locally and attending local art shows- here in Abaco we have alot of second homeowners that buy alot of local art. So letting this group know what I am up to is important. 2. Updating my blog - this keeps people who like my work current with what I am doing and what is new with my work. 3. Facebook - I dont have a "fan" page but keep my photos current with my artwork has been a great advertising tool and I have sold alot this way.

JH: What is your workspace like and how do you work in your studio? What is a typical day like?

KR: My workspace is usually pretty chaotic! My jewelry making shares a space with my quilting. Two separate work stations, but in the same room. A typical day starts with me checking my list of work to see what I need to start with. I like to do my flame working first thing in the morning, so I have time to anneal them before the day is out.

JH: How do you stay inspired and motivated?

KR: This is probably one of the biggest challenges as an artist!! One thing that keeps me inspired is trying to get involved in challenges and swaps. Two jewelry artists that have been a huge inspiration are Jennifer at Jangles and Kerry from KABS Concepts. I have both of their books and look at them almost daily!

JH: What kinds of art beads do you look for? Is there a bead you wish an artist would make for you?

KR: My favorite art beads are glass or ceramic. I guess I keep going back to the ceramic, because it is a medium I have worked with since I was about 7 years old. I would love to see an artbead made with a mermaid on it!

JH: What beady plans do you have for the future? Do you have new designs or ideas you will be exploring soon?

KR: Even thought I have done a lot of ceramic work, I am playing with making focals and beads from clay. It is a learning experience since most of my clay work has been on big pieces, like platters and bowls. I am practicing more detailed glass beads and would love to be able to make some underwater themed ones at some point. Since I love mermaids so much I am sure there will be something mermaid-y soon! Enameling is something I would love to try sometime, since I love all the pieces I have seen.

JH: Thanks for a great interview Kim!

Interview with Loupiac, Lampwork Art bead artist Florence Sauerbrey

Let me introduce you to Florence Sauerbrey. Flo is a magnificent Lampworker who creates beads. Her Etsy store is called Loupiac. I have been in love  with her work for a long time. I know you'll love her too. Enjoy this little virtual interview!


1. Who are you, and what do you create?

I am Florence Sauerbrey aka Loupiac on Etsy. I came from France 9 years ago to marry that wooden boat builder man of mine. I make lampwork beads with glass rods that I melt with a torch. Sometimes I make jewelry with my beads, wear a piece once or a couple of times and then it disappears in my drawer forever because I don't wear -nor do I sell- much jewelry.

2. How long have you been working in this medium? What lead you to this craft?

I lit my Hot Head torch for the first time in November of 2006. Like for many other beadmakers, the idea was that I was going to be able to make my own beads for my jewelry, especially that I would always have a supply of spacers of all possible colors in the universe. Of course I focused on the beads immediately and completely forgot about the jewelry.


3. Who has had the strongest influence on your development as an artist?

Many people did, whether they are lampworkers themselves or not. My husband is always pushing me ahead of myself, encouraging me to try new things and helping me figuring things out. He offered me my kiln after a year, he installed my ventilation system, he even commissioned beads just to throw challenges my way.

My mother is my unconditional fan and she and my wonderful customers' appreciation keep me going and loving it.

In the bead world, I have to credit Susan Pacitto, former owner of SMP Designs on Cape Cod, who introduced me to all things beautiful about beading. Her shop was heaven on Earth and her knowledge about beads was as unlimited as her generosity. Her personal collection was my first introduction to lampwork. When I discovered Sarah Moran's beads on ebay, Susan was the one who told me "You can do that!". I said "Yeah, right!" and started thinking about it.

Over the years I have come to meet (personally or online) with some incredibly talented beadmakers whose work keeps reminding me that everything is left to be created yet. The talent of people like Sarah Moran, Claudia Trimbur-Pagel, Lydia Muell, Harold Williams Cooney, Dustin Tabor and many, many others, keeps raising the bar for all of us and I am grateful to them for that.


4. What are your goals for your art for the future?

I don't really consider myself an artist, more of a crafts(wo)man. I make beads for other people to use in their jewelry designs and the more use they can find for them, the better it is, because that means maybe I am a good beadmaker. So I guess I could say that my goal is to become a better beadmaker. I set some quality standards for myself and I don't mind throwing away beads that don't meet them. If a bead is a failure easthetically but still shows some technical improvement or innovation, I keep it, and then I come back to it several months later and laugh at it.

5. What do you consider to be the one thing that makes you stand out from your peers or help you be more successful?

My customers are always enthusiastic about the color combinations I use for my sets, and I admit that playing with colors is my favorite thing to do. Finding new color palettes and trying to translate them into glass beads is what feeds my soul when I sit at the torch, and I think this is what my customers see in my work.


6. For fun: What is something that most people don't know about you?
I love classical music and did a lot of choir singing in college, and sometimes I find myself singing along the alto scores of Beethoven's 9th symphony and masses by Schubert or Mozart. Very loudly.

Thank you Flo, for a great interview! I love that I know this little tidbit about you being a choir singer!