If you've been following our blog, then you know we hop around to spot jewelry artists and wonderful designs to be featured at the blog. Today, Sherry at IDesign Studios has graciously agreed to answer a few of our interview questions.
Welcome Sherry to the blog!
Tell us about yourself, your location, your job and your goals
My name is Sherry Trautman and I have a fused glass jewelry business that I started in my home studio located in Michigan. I sell my fused glass pendants, earrings, bottle stoppers and lots of other creative items throughout the world! I am a full time designer, creating my custom fused glass items in addition to wedding photography. I love anything creative! My goals are to work on better marketing my fused glass jewelry, learn how to blog creatively every day and expanding my knowledge and skills of wedding photography.
How did you start doing jewelry (or beadmaking) as a business?
It's interesting, actually. I had been creating fused glass jewelry for about a year and began posting items I had made for myself on my Facebook page. Well, a friend's wife (whom I had never met) sent me a message through her husband's account asking me if I would like to do a few shows with her that following summer. ( 1 1/2 years ago now). Unsure of how all this worked, we met up and did our first show, proving we worked together well and we had great success! Local shows turned into online selling just this past October!
Every artist has a personal "creative process", can you explain yours?
I get inspired when I see a great shape or design from the unexpected. It might be something that a friend suggests, a great hanging lamp in a restaurant while out with my husband, a dish in a Japanese restaurant or a cloud in the sky! I get energized by a hard rainstorm or a beautiful snowy day. If it’s raining I always say, “Great day to be creative!”
When people start doing jewelry, they tend to try a lot of different things before settling down to something that resonates with them, tell us how has your jewelry work changed since you began?
I started creating only what I liked and as I began to be in the public spotlight at shows, I received requests for items that I had never thought of. I believe my jewelry has taken on a new life as I receive ideas and commissions because many times I am not sure how I will create my client's vision! For example, I had a client request a violin. Shocked, I had no idea how it would turn out! Surprisingly, the piece was so pretty (after a few tries!) that now I enjoy making musical instruments!
Can you share with us a some jewelry making or design tips?
Design from the heart, try new ideas-I'm playing with a new line idea but the first few pieces are terrible! So back to the drawing board!
Design from the heart, try new ideas-I'm playing with a new line idea but the first few pieces are terrible! So back to the drawing board!
Do you write jewelry making tutorials? Tell us more about it...What is your plan in tutorial writing? This year I plan to create a fused glass ebook tutorial. My tried and true firing schedules, tips and tricks and lots of other goodies I have learned in the past few years!
Here are some of Sherry's beautiful creations.
This heart shaped pendant embellished with dragons was created in Sherry's kiln. It is thrilling how it came out, almost looking like lace!
This pendant is hand painted fused glass. The surface was painted a horse that came out so clear and crisp and looks like a horse with serious attitude!
This piece is a study of the beauty of human form. It symbolizes the closeness and comfort one feels while in the presence of loved ones. While each person can have their individual families, traits and characteristics, we are drawn to work together more cohesively as a whole.
You can learn more about Sherry and her awesome creations through her blogsite, IDesign Art Studios on Contemporary Fused Glass and Photography. She also has her online shops, IDesign Art Studios, offering limited edition handcrafted fused glasswork and IDesign Studios that offers innovative fused glass, photography and silks.
Visit her shops now for her beautiful glasswork pieces!
