Robin Reed Jewelry Artist

This month has been full of surprises, and this one is wonderful, Robin Reed, of Artistry:Handcrafted Bead Designs has blessed me with an interview!

I have to say, I had given up on having any interviews after the halfway mark of the month, but Robin Reed came in for some help! I appreciate her very much, it has been a tough month, and I understand how busy everyone is... I totally understand not participating. I really understand with working two jobs right now, a son in Band competition, going to finals, and a couple of dogs that believe I have left them alone for way too long! I

 have been writing at the encouragement of others, to whom I send out thank you notes from my heart. It has been a wonderful sisterhood of writers that have kept me going.  

I have known Robin for a while now, I got to know her work through Bead Soup, which is a Blog party for jewelry artists.. I saw a piece she had designed and made and was intrigued.

Robin Reed is a happily married mom of two and grandmother to a teenager. She lives in Northern Indiana, about 30 miles South of where Notre Dame is located.


Robin started making handmade crafts back in 1982, and has been creating jewelry for the past 9 years. She says that she received a shell necklace for her birthday that year and that a light-bulb went off in her head...

Since then, she and her daughter, Melody,  have been making beautiful jewelry, all one of a kind pieces. Robin is self-taught, and makes a number of styles. together with her daughter, they make Boho, Gothic and SteamPunk, but some of the designs are very elegant as well.

Each piece of jewelry is assembled by hand with some of the components made by hand, Each is individual and unique. Some of the materials that are used are Copper, leather, sari silk, crystals, stones, paper, gears, chains and even buttons.  She says her favorite material right now is Sari Silk.

Robin says that what really sparked her interest is "pretty jewelry". She wanted to create one of a kind designs that were well-made, affordable, and unique. I think she has done it.

I asked her if she had any tips for new jewelry makers, ad she answered with some pretty good tips
1. You have to start to go on...
2. Only do it if you love it!
3. Learn, learn, learn. Not just design but the business side, too!
4. Don't do what everybody else does... Unless you do it better.
5. Don't undersell yourself. You really are worth it!
6. Pick the medium, design, and shows that are compatible with what you want to do.

She says that she will go home after a 12 hour day and make jewelry, that it has her heart!

Most of her sales outlets are art shows in her general area,


Pinterest - Willowdragon57

Instagram- Willowdragon57

Amazon- Amazon.com/handmade/artistryhcbd

Website:  artistryhcbd.indiemade.com

Finished?

The wonderful artist, Desiree Rager Cook, will be my only interview during this series. You can see the whole interview here...
So I will advertise her post a bit more I do appreciate that she was very willing to answer my questions in a very timely manner, and I cannot say how much that helps when you are on a schedule.

So... here is a quick view of her work again...

 What a wonderful Egyptian inspired collar by Desiree Rager Cook. It is done in turquoise, red and white beads, with a focal of

 Who doesn't love dragons? This is one of Ms Cook's cute bead sculptures, it could be a large pendant?

One of Desiree Rager Cook's specialties is body jewelry!
This piece is a spider on a web, just perfect for the The upcoming holiday!

This red dragon is wonderful, it took over 10,000 beads, and was made over the course of 9 weeks.


Please go to Ms Cook's website to see more work







http://jeweltones.info

or her Pinterest page:   https://www.pinterest.com/dezrager/my-dragons-other-bead-work/

Or her Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/JewelTonesBeads

Manufacturing Jewelry--One of a Kind Pieces (OOAK) What is Your Opinion?

When we think about jewelry, we don't think about how it is made, not usually at least. Unless it says hand made, or One of a Kind, maybe we do, but for the most part, no one really considers how something is made today...

Is it someone in a back room, churning out one by one a collection of hand made items, or is it an artisan who is turning out real, one of a kind, no two alike, one item only?

Handmade, The only one like it... but not really OoaK

Sometimes, the OoaK name is kind of confusing... because it can be attached to an item that is actually being mass produced, but since it is different than the last one... made by hand, but still mass produced... it can be a bit tricky to find out the truth.

Now, this is one of a kind!

There is creating a true one of a kind, and then there is churning out one after another of the same, slightly different, handmade-but-half-not so much hand made... pieces...

Is using a die or a punch changing the scape of jewelry making for individuals?  Should it matter that someone uses a mechanical object to turn out a piece of jewelry?

Last year, I asked a number of people to answer the question about what they consider metalwork...

Unique, but not really one of a kind

Overwhelmingly, most people did not consider any type of wire work to be metalwork... nor did they change their minds when the question was more narrowed to: If the person melts their own silver, pours it themselves, pulls their own wire, and uses it to create a piece of jewelry... are they considered metalworkers.... And the answer was overwhelmingly, NO.

Why is that?

One of a kind? Yes, and no...

I also asked the question to a group: Is using a mold actually being a metalworker?

Overwhelmingly... the answer was NO.

This surprised me.

Narrow the question down to ... if the person carves their own wax, creates their own mold, melts their own silver/gold, pours the metal into the mold, takes it out and cleans it.... are they metal workers?

Overwhelmingly... the people that were opposed in the first place still said ... NO.

What is the reason behind this notion?

No one could really put their finger on the reason... but one person answered that the wax wasn't even real wax... and that they were just mass producing. I am not sure about the wax part... I'm really not sure I can agree that the time, effort, talent it takes to create a piece through lost wax casting can be considered not truly metalsmith, artisan, OoaK.

There are jewelers that use lost wax as a way of creating one of a kind items that are high end pieces. This is evident in jewelry artists  such as Scott Schreiber, who I interviewed for this article in October, 2015 Scott Schreiber Jewelery Design.

Scott created this masterpiece of a ring, but all his creations are one of a kind, wonderfully unique(redundant I know)objects of art. 

So, tell me, how could this not be considered One of a Kind? And how could this person not be considered as a metalsmith... though I consider this man to be an artisan, a goldsmith, or Jeweler, which ever it is, he is as unique as his work.

mold by Penny Jo Couch, not one of a kind by me...

The Year of Jewelry project taught me that I can make one of a kind items if I really try hard, but even at that, I used a mold made by Penny Jo Couch to make a few items... I made hummingbird brooches.  Each one was one of a kind, each with different coloration, each with a bit of

manipulation here and there... but...

They weren't one of a kind. Not in the true sense of the words. But I love them... I love the way the molds are just about perfect!

I make a lot of brooches, each one cut by hand, each one etched separately, each one finished by hand, nothing but a polishing wheel on the flex shaft... in my little hand, cleaning it up and polishing it up... maybe a torch to give some color, or enamel, or maybe even ink?

So, I'm not creating one of a kind really then, am I? I repeat designs that people like, each a bit different since it is cut out by hand, cleaned by hand, finished by hand, not exactly the same...

Each is different, each has personality of it's own, and I love the way each has a variance in color or cleanness.

Truly one of a kind... cuff bracelet

How do you feel about the one of a kind idea? Do you create any two pieces alike?

 Someone who has sat at a bench for many years is bound to have made more than one of any assortment of rings, pendants, etc...

Though all are handmade. Each piece is crafted to be unique.

What do you say?

Interview with ~Desiree Rager Cook~ Bead Artist

Yesterday, I wrote a very brief article about body jewelry, I love the idea of covering more than just the wrist, the neck, a bit of the ear… in jewelry.

I wanted to lead up to featuring this wonderful jewelry artist, Desiree Rager Cook. Her work is venturing into large body jewelry that is captivating.

Originally from Niagara Falls, NY, Ms. Cook moved to Alabama and attended High School and College there.

Beginning in 2006, Cook had a storefront in Birmingham, Jewel Tones Beads and an Etsy shop.  She has recently moved to Irvine, California.

Cook, who is a self-taught bead worker, began creating beadwork to relieve stress. Her earlier work is not jewelry, but she was taught how to make peyote stitch, and from there, her creativity took off. She learned how to start making jewelry.The results have been marvelous.

The work she has been working on is more on the larger scale,  she says that she likes to make things that are bold.

 Ms Cook says she enjoys making Body Jewelry, those pieces that cover not only the neck, but the shoulders, chest, back and shoulders.  The jewelry is not standard but challenges her creatively. 

Other than making bead weaving, she  has also begun making bead embroidery which is elegant and intriguing. Her One of a Kind pieces include figures and she also uses bead weaving to make tapestries out of tiny seed beads, incorporating lace, metal and other objects. 

Pieces of her work have been shown in the Cathedral Square Gallery in Mobile, Alabama as well as having shown at the Hogansville Hummingbird Festival and other fairs in adjacent states. 



Since moving to California, she is starting over again, but it should be a wonderful new adventure!
Recently, she has worked with a professional photographer for a project she is working on with larger jewelry/costume pieces. I can't wait to see what is in store!

To find more of her work, there are several places to look, her website is at Jewel Tones.  Another site is on Instagram @jewel_tones  and on Facebook at Jewel Tones Beads

I asked her if she has any advice for someone just starting out in her area of work, and she replied...
 
"Keep working! If something doesn't turn out right, learn from it and keep working"

This is wonderful advice for everyday life, isn't it? This is how you work to perfection!



My website - www.jeweltones.info
. https://www.facebook.com/JewelTonesBeads/
Instagram - @jewel_tones

Jewel Tones

jeweltones.info

Body Jewelry

Body Jewelry... not something you think about often is it?  Most of us don't think about wearing something that will cover much of our body... maybe a large necklace... but how about a necklace from neck to navel? 
How about a bracelet that connects to your finger... or a hair comb that connects to your earring then to your nosering? Our guest tomorrow, Desiree Rager Cook,  shows that you can wear a necklace that covers more than just your neck, maybe your shoulder and back as well?

Or a necklace/belt combination?  I watched a lot of wedding videos while I was writing about Eastern jewelry, and so many of the Indian brides wear stunning, large, necklaces... but what really intrigued me was the chains and gems that are worn that attach from hair to ear to necklace...


Watching one bride have her jewelry applied... or attached if you will... made me think how difficult it would be to turn your head... or if someone came up to give you a hug and got their hair-sprayed coif caught in your beads... ouch! bye bye ear.

As a teen, I was enamored with slave bracelets. They were very exotic to me, and I had no idea of the reason they were called by that name. I'm still not sure, since they are not shackled to anything but your ring finger and your wrist... but I am sure there is a reason.

I suppose the belt/necklace is of the same idea...

Not a good example of body  jewelry

If you love jewelry, you will probably love the idea of wearing a huge necklace. Many times, large statement necklaces are not as out of place as people would think. The oversized jewelry can fit in with jeans as well as formal wear if it is chosen wisely.

A solid color such as a large gold or silver necklace would be wearable with jeans and a tshirt as well as a nice black dress.  Many people like bright colors as well to wear with casual wear. It is a matter of taste and no set rules as what can be worn. 

Bracelets and Bangles

So much to be said about bracelets, but the truth of the matter is... there isn't enough time in the day for me to write everything down. So I've compacted what I know and what I love down into this page full of bracelets and bangles that I submit for your perusal.


Bracelets have been worn by women and men from before Ancient Egypt was born... there are archaeological excavations that are unearthing jewelry ranging from 3000 BCE. Bracelets happen to be among those pieces...

So what can I tell you that is new? Not much, but I can show some cool designs and share some interesting sites where you can see some of the beautiful ancient jewelry.

Bracelets are made from just about any material that you can lay your hands on, from wood, plastic, fiber/fabric, metal, to stone... there is nothing new under the sun that hasn't been turned into a wearable piece of arm jewelry.

I love making bracelets and cuffs out of vinyl records, those old scratched beyond using or broken records that I've collected over the years. Vinyl is easy to cut, easy to shape, and very sturdy, considering my records ended up broken... after manipulating the material, it seems to gain strength.

Red Bakelite bracelet

In the heyday of Bakelite jewelry, many bracelets of bright colors were made. I have a couple of examples of nice Bakelite, and some nice knockoffs. Acrylic has been a wonderful addition to material for bracelet making as well. Acrylic can be very sturdy and quite fashionable.

Silver twist bangle

metal of course has been used to make bangles and bracelets for eons it seems... the earliest forms of jewelry that survive are made of gold and have survived for thousands of years. Unless it is heated above 1948ºF it will not degrade the same as other metals, so the examples made in gold are still as beautiful as the day they were made. 

beadwork bracelets are a favorite of mine, and many are being made today that are fun to wear, or very fashionable.. even dare I say Chic?  made of glass beads mixed with crystals, semi precious jewels, and sometimes silk... they can be absolutely beautiful.

Recycled/Found Objects, and Oddity Jewelry

Using found objects in jewelry has become all the rage. October 8, 2015 I featured a prominent artist, Richard Salley, who uses found objects in his work.  His work is amazing and beautiful. It is a wonderful example of thinking out of the box when it comes to design.

Some of the items he uses are lunch boxes, jar lids, and odds and ends you might find out on a walk. I made the bracelet to the right at one of his classes, which was fun and interesting. I loved that there were no set rules... except for measuring, cutting and drilling... the rest was up to you to decide what you wanted to add.

cuff bracelet inspired by Richard Salley

 For my piece, I used a vintage button for the focal... held in place with a bezel of a baby food jar lid, there is also some wire, some acrylic flowers, rhinestone head pins, and the clasp is something I found in the scrapbook section at Michael's...

 The piece is clunky, funky and fun to wear. I think that is a lot of what jewelry should be. Especially the fun to wear part.

pendant from Kim St Jean class

The craving for something that is handmade, maybe one of a kind, and fun to wear is what has spurred the business of jewelry making in the past few years. Bead & Button shows and Beadfest events are drawing crowds of faithful followers who create their own pieces and crave more classes to learn new skills.


I have attended some of the events, at first just as a lark, I just wanted to see what they were doing... I got hooked! The jewelry you can make ranges from beaded to some pretty intense stone setting and sawwork. 

I created a few pieces over the years that were directly inspired by the work of some of the teachers, like Kim St. Jean, Jeff
Fulkerson, and

vinyl brooch

  Gwen Fuller Youngblood.  They inspired me to explore using different types of metals, and not simply believing that you had to use conventional methods to achieve your goal.

brass, polymer clay, and glass beads