Featured Artist - Spring Fling Winner - Lynn's Beads 'N Things

The Jacaranda Tree

Wire wrapped with Amethyst and Peridot chips

We are welcoming Lynn, Our “Trees” Spring Fling Winner today, and she comes to us from Southern California, Palm Springs, land of sand, sun, tumble weeds, ocotillo, and of course, her now famous rendition of the local tree:
“The Jacaranda Tree.”

Lynn also has a home in Jerome, Idaho, just outside of Twin Falls, where she may retire someday, if she can pull herself away from the fast lane that goes hand in hand with living in Southern California. Her family still lives in LosAngeles, primarily spread throughout the San Gabriel Valley, with some in Laguna Hills and even family in Florida.

I would like to introduce Lynn, of Lynn’s Beads ‘N Things, to discuss her avocation of jewelry making with us.

When asked how she started making jewelry and how long she has been practicing her art, Lynn said:

“I started making jewelry when I was in high school. My Mom took me to a bead shop and I was instantly addicted! Back then I made mostly earrings & simple things. When I married, I put my craft on hold to raise my family. A number of years ago I saw a necklace in an expensive shop that I loved but could not afford. I said “I could do that”, and so it began again…I looked for bead shops everywhere I went and then discovered online bead shopping which makes it so much easier & saves on gas but I don’t think it really “saves” since there is so much to choose from! I now sell my jewelry at a local art gallery and have done quite well there. Jewelry making is my passion and my therapy!"

Crystal, Swarovski and rice pearls in Sterling silver

Regarding what Lynn feels is one of the biggest lessons her Art has taught her, Lynn states:

“I have learned that I can do anything I put my mind to! I have seen many styles of jewelry that I think I couldn’t possibly make but I give it a try and most of the time I can put my spin on it and make it work.”

chocolate lustre stick pearl necklace

When I found that Lynn really enjoys custom work from requests, she enlightened me by explaining:

“I have the most fun when someone asks me to make something unique for them. They will tell me what type of stones they want and I go to work! So far everyone has been happy with the finished product!”

Obsidian disks with rose quartz

Of course that led me to my favorite question of: “What inspires you, Lynn?"

“I am inspired by the beauty of God’s creations and colors of nature. Sometimes I am inspired by the stones themselves. They seem to “talk to me” and tell me what I should do with them. Sometimes a picture just pops into my head of something to make and I look for stones to use, like the winning “Jacaranda Tree Pendant.”

★Lynn hand picks all of her own supplies, and in addition to creating beautiful jewelry, she also creates cards, from handpicked flowers grown mostly by her, and chosen at their prime bloom, and then presses and laminates them for lasting beauty.

And Lynn, do you keep a journal or a notebook?
“No, I don’t but if I see something that catches my eye or pops into my head I will sketch it. When I am finished it usually looks nothing like the original item but takes on a life of it’s own during the process of creating it.”

Do you have any formal training in your craft?
“No, just some minor instruction at the bead shop or an online tutorial now and then.”

Light and Dark- wooden disks and 3 amazing Rudraksha seeds

★The seed of the rudraksha tree (Elaeocarpus granitrus) holds a very special place in Hinduism, and is credited to possess mystical and divine properties.

Ahhh, I see you are a self made woman. Tell me Lynn, Is there a basic ‘household’ item you use when creating that seems to work just as good if not better then the actual ‘tool’?
“Not really, occasionally I will use tweezers and the Dremel tool.”

Blue Pearls with Quartz nuggets

Oh yes, Dremels are very fun tools, and I have been known to pick up tweezers or hemostats myself, a time or two.

blister pearl necklace

What is your favorite thing to do on a Saturday Night?
"After working a 40 hour week, just chilling out with a good movie and some popcorn."

Hey, I heard that! Now I am hungry.

After putting in a 40 hr work week and being tired after that, do you have goals that help keep you going? If so, what are they?

turquoise drops jasper drops red and blue drops

"Without goals I don’t think I would be able to survive! I am a self admitted bead addict so my next goal is to use up most of my inventory before I buy more. So many online bead shops make it too easy to feed my addiction!"

earthtone drops Vintage glass with pearls

OK Lynn, tell me, what is your favorite gemstone?

"At present it is Carnelian. It does change from time to time depending on what I may be making and how it turns out."

Carnelian Drops

When I asked Lynn what she might choose as the theme for our next Challenge (Our Summer Challenge) she lets very little information out, and plans to let us sit on the edge of our seats until later in the month of May, before her choice is made.…………

She says she wants to think about it, but I think she’s teasing us.

Update!!! Lynn has picked her theme for our Summer Challenge: It's going to be a "Sizzling Summer Challenge!" The theme to be: "Fire Hot"

So stay tuned in, and watch our blog for the “Theme” announcement regarding our next Challenge of Summer 2009!

Triple Strand Mix and Match

From her shop announcement, Lynn shows the world of Etsy her creative Id, her passion for gemstones and freshwater pearls.

Lynn isn’t the only creative Artist in her family, her daughter is a sculptor and also has an Etsy shop named: Eirewolf Creations.

Thank you Lynn for taking us on a journey through your world of Jewelry and beautiful handmade cards.

To see more of Lynn’s beautiful jewelry please stop by her Etsy shop at Lynn’s Beads n Things.

This posting is happily brought to you by "Wires 'n Pliers"