~How I got my start as a Jewelry Designer~
Jewelry design was a natural progression for me. You see, I have been an artisan / crafter my whole life. I started sewing at the early age of seven, and just kept going from there. As an adult, I found my way to beading as a means to unwind after a stressful day at the office. Over the past couple of years, while my daughters worked on their homework, I would sit on the sofa making beaded jewelry.
At first, I spent most of my time experimenting with techniques and learning my craft; however, as I got better, my designs became more refined and elaborate. I knew I was hooked when I started getting compliments on the pieces I would wear out in public. People would say, "Oh...what a beautiful necklace! Where did you get it?" And, I would reply, "Actually, I made it myself." The big Aha! moment came when a woman who was visiting the Interior Design showroom I worked at, responded "Boy, are you in the wrong business! You should be a jewelry designer!"