...as seen in the January '08
Issue of Ruby Lanes' Creative
Hands Newsletter
I
live in the wonderful town of
Eugene, Oregon. It is just an
hour drive to the beach and
about the same to the mountains.
What's not to love about Eugene!
It is full of artisans of all
kinds. As far back as I can
remember I have done all types
of arts and crafts. My mom loved
jewelry. Therefore it doesn't
surprise me that many years down
the line I find myself creating
jewelry. I don't think I fell
very far from the tree... :) !
My goal early on was to make
jewelry for myself, as I began
wearing some of my jewelry
creations, I would get inquiries
about where I bought my jewelry.
And, of course, family and
friends who knew I was creating
jewelry would request special
orders which eventually led me
to start my own jewelry line,
Jammertail Designs.
The
name "Jammertail" has a story of
its own. It's related to my cat,
Jammer, but I won't bore you
with that story. Once I decided
to actually sell my jewelry, I
set out to design and create my
own website, on which I display
some of my jewelry. However, sell
from my sites on
Ruby Lane
and
Etsy.
I am inspired to create jewelry
by my love for wonderful
gemstones and for what the
jewelry adds to ones appearance.
A couple of years ago, I took a
few basic jewelry
classes and that was it...I was hooked! The
gorgeous colors of the gemstones
and beads are enough to make
anyone melt! I acquire my
gemstones and sterling silver,
silk, vermeil, and gold filled
components and findings from top
quality shops here on the west
coast. A few come from other
states. Although a lot of my
jewelry is made with gold and
silver tones, occasionally I do
remake old jewelry pieces into
something new. I always include
photos with a description of
what I used in each piece
describing what makes the piece
unique.
"What's
my jewelry style", you might
ask? I would have to say that it
is eclectic. I like the unusual
and different – a little of
everything. My pieces are
comprised of many things from
the simple classic and dainty
look of beautiful freshwater
cultured pearls, to Swarovski
crystals and mixed media
components to costume jewelry
remakes and recyclables. I like
to think of my jewelry as
wearable art – fun and funky!
Some styles are rougher, more
rustic, and possibly chunky.
Jammertail Designs Jewelry in my
eyes reads more on the unusual
side! The construction of
designed pieces can flow
effortlessly or take me a while.
My response during the creation
depends on how I feel about the
jewelry when it's completed.
When I begin a piece, I usually
have an idea in my head. It may
not go as I have seen it in my
mind, if so, then I will let my
creative spirit guide me to the
end result. However, at times I
have taken a finished piece
apart, and started over again,
because I didn't like the way it
looked.
Enjoyment
comes from the whole creation
process that goes into making
each piece of jewelry. At the
present time, I am having fun
with soldering and glass. My
future desire is to learn the
art of silversmithing, and how
to work with precious metal clay
(PMC). For now, I have many
ideas going through my mind and
I am just trying to keep up with
all of those! Jammertail Designs
creations are always one of a
kind. However, if you see
something you like that has
already sold, contact me, I am
sure I can come up with
something similar. Jammertail
jewelry is made for you, just as
if I were making it for myself!
My biggest thrill and compliment
is hearing how much you enjoy
your jewelry items, so please
feel free to email me.
I am honored to have some of my
jewelry displayed in a few
stores in the Oregon area and
I feel very blessed with the wonderful
customers that I have! I love
hearing from you, and thanks to all
of you for visiting and shopping at
Jammertail Designs.
