Friday Feature- Meredithbeads

This week Friday is Mereidthbead she has very lovely jewelry with beutiful color combinations, come get to know her and her creations!

Olive pearl coin leather necklace

How did you name your business?
after myself.  Either I'm title-challenged, or I just like simple titles.  I needed a title I could remember.

How long have you been doing your art/craft for?
Since before you were born.  Literally.  I started doing beadwork when I was 15.

What inspires and influences your work?
The beads themselves suggest the finished jewelry. 
Sometimes I see something -- in a storefront; in a museum -- and I'll take an element out of that item and adapt it into my style.
Often an idea pops into my head, and I assemble all the components on my desk before I lose the inspiration.
Where can you artwork/pieces be found?
Artfire
Etsy
Etsy second shop
Website
I also sell most weekends at local craft shows and
 farmers' markets (Southern California).

What do you do when you're not creating?
All the boring work necessary to bring my creations 
to market: picture taking and editing, product descriptions,
 website tweaking, social marketing.  Unfortunately, I spend

Mabe pearl, turquoise, cornflake pearl necklace

 more time on the business end than I do creating.

This is my full-time job.  I work 60 hours/week in my off season
 and up to 80 "on."

What is your favorite piece(s) that you have created?

Mabe pearl, turquoise, cornflake pearl necklace

Why did you create this piece(s)?
Everything just flowed around the pendant. I like the way the
 necklace combines bold elements (pendant, hishi) with tiny
 intricate wire-wrap and chain.

What do you feel is special about your art/craft?
I have a very strong sense of color and design.
My work is meticulously made and sturdy.
Many of my pieces are one-of-a-kind.
I combine disparate elements -- bold and tiny, artsy and classic, ethnic and high-fashion -- and make it work.

Are there other forms of art and crafts you would like to learn? And why?
I have a 5-year BFA in Studio Art so I've worked in most media.
My next project is a tile mosaic on my bathroom floor.  Why?  Because I'm tired of looking at the world's ugliest linoleum.

Created opal teal blue cut out Magen David Earrings

I'm also the Poet Laureate of Placentia Library District since 2003.  My poetry and essays have been published in literary journal and anthologies world-wide. 

You can also find Mereidth at
Facebook fan page:
www.facebook.com/meredithbead
Twitter:
twitter.com/meredithbead
Writing website:
www.meredithlaskow.com