Featured Artisan- Bijoux Designs For You

I am very proud to offer you an interview with my greatest inspiration, my mom. Enjoy!

What would you like people to know about you as a person?

I am a mother of three grown children, grandmother to one very adorable little guy and wife of a great guy who has been totally supportive of all my endeavours for 33 years. I am a terrible homebody who loves my house, loves to cook, adores my family and of course loves to bead. I wake up ridiculously early, so you will find me with my coffee at the dining table spiraling, fringing or right angle weaving to my hearts content, enjoying the peace while everyone else is still sleeping.

Black and Amethyst Tennis Bracelet

Tell me a bit about your art and your products. What inspires you?
My crafting endeavours have taken several paths over the years. Quilting and folk art ruled our house for a lot of years. Several years ago my daughter and I took a beading class and fell in love with beads and their glorious colour and sparkle. I currently have an obsession for beadweaving. I love incorporating those tiny seed beads with crystals and gemstones to come up with amazing creations. Currently I'm working on several designs to work into my line. I love how beadweaving can get you to push your creative juices to the limit. I'm always inspired by the things around me, particularly my garden in the summer. Nature offers you such a wonderful palette.

Pink Ladybug Stitch Markers

How do you share your creations? Where can we find you? Currently I have a shop on Etsy, Artfire and Zibbet. I do several craft shows around the outskirts of the city and am looking into doing a downtown market this summer. It is always so much fun to meet customers face to face and their feedback is invaluable.

What is your most important lesson since starting your craft/business?
Running a business from home can be very distracting. Treat your business like a business. I set business hours for myself and as hard as it is, let the house and laundry wait till I am finished work. Keep accurate records. Follow what is working for you so that you can expand on that. Always be willing to learn and perfect your skills. Stay true to yourself.

Some Fun Tidbits:
Coffee, tea or hot chocolate? Definately COFFEE
Your favourite candy? Anything with chocolate
Your favourite colour? Blue
Your favourite movie? Titanic
If I were to catch you grooving it would be to this song... I'm dating myself, but anything by the BeeGees and I love Celine Dion