• It seems like a majority of jewelry makers sell some of their work on a website … do you think an internet presence is pretty crucial?
Crucial? No, but important or even just a good idea, yes. Web hosting is so cheap these days, and even if you don’t want a full web site or want to sell on line, there are so many free places to have a little spot to show your jewelry off - it just makes sense to be on line these days. If nothing else, you could use it as a kind of digital portfolio.
• Do have a favorite type of jewelry making (wirewrap, beading, glasswork, soldering, etc.) or does it change from time to time?
I have to admit that it really changes. I get into different modes and moods, and a lot of it depends on my writing as well. For example, when I was working on my seed bead book, I was crazy over bead weaving. Even after finishing all the projects, I was excited to just make some bead weaving pieces for fun.
• How about a favorite type of precious stone, crystal or metal that you like to work with?
I really love pearls. I have a passion for them because they look great with everything and come in so many different colors and shapes now. Amethyst is another favorite of mine. As far as metals, I kind of go back and forth, but lately, I don’t know why, I’ve been drawn to gold-filled wire more so than usual.
• Do you dabble in any other crafts or hobbies besides jewelry making?
I’ve done all kinds of crafts over the years (cross stitch, embroidery, crochet, sewing, stamping), but lately my dabbling has moved over to altered books and other book-related arts. During a graduate class I took a few years ago, one of our projects was to create an alternative book, and crafter that I am, I took the professor literally and “crafted” a book. I, of course, included a page full of beads I glued on and also some of my fused glass pieces. I had a page made of wood, one of magnets, one Velcro, another was cross-stitch. I didn’t realize until he flipped out (in a good way – got an “A”) that book-making is an actual art form. After that, I started investigating it more and making other little books and just playing around.
• Jewelry making and crafting in general seem to really boomed in the past decade or so… why do you think this has happened?
I know. It seems to be “coming of age.” I have to say that more and more people are realizing that they can make their own jewelry, and it’s fun to boot. Plus, jewelry is a functional type of art form. You can make it and wear it and show it off rather than make it and stick it on a shelf to collect dust. I find that very appealing myself.
• How do you see the future of jewelry making stacking up… do you think it will continue to be popular as both a hobby and a career?
Yes, I think it’s just going to get more popular in fact. Right now, scrapbooking is the number one craft, but I think jewelry making, especially bead stringing, is starting to catch up. Just look at the explosion of jewelry-related magazines that have been published in the past few years, and of course, books and blogs too. There are even a few jewelry making television shows on now. In fact, one of the reasons I urge people to look for alternative outlets to selling jewelry is this very fact – it is so popular they may be missing other opportunities out there to earn an income with their craft. You’ve heard the phrase “think outside the box,” and the jewelry making box is just getting bigger and bigger.
This interview with Tammy Powley was done over email January 8-14, 2006. For more information or to contact her, you can visit the About.com Jewelry Making site or her own personal site.
Do you know of a jewelry making professional or other individual involved with the jewelry making industry who you would like to see interviewed on Bloglander Jewelry Making? If so please let us know about them…
