A weave of different forms of mediums of an art and craft handedly crafted to produce in time a unique set design of jewelry piece is the same as how one does weave his/her responsibilities in life to eventually turn into a great life that he/she wanted. It was how our featured artist had shown for many years having an ample of duties such as a Managing Partner , a pop culture junkie, a homeschooling mom and a jewelry designer.
Photo courtesy of http://jewelryrockstar.com
This bracelet makes a great deal beautiful to your wrist. Crafted out from lamp work beads and repurposed saltwater pearls is the Brown glass and Saltwater Pearl bracelets. A perfect match to your sunny best dress.
Photo courtesy of http://jewelryrockstar.com
A Sterling silver ear wires with a shade of a sun is the Sunshine Triangle Dangle Earrings.A 4.5 inches long made out of yellow polymer clay, hand sculpted and hand painted. This are very lightweight earrings.
Photo courtesy of http://jewelryrockstar.com
Hang in your ear this 6 inches long elegant and very lightweight Avocado Shoulder Duster Earrings. A hand-inked, hand-stamped of prepared yellow polymer clay.
More stuff to hear and learn from our featured artist for a rocky interview.
Jane:Tell us about yourself, your location, your job and your goals.
Brooke Brimm:I had live in Atlanta, Georgia for the past 18 years. However, I've recently relocated St. Petersburg, Florida. I moved here to be by the beach and because St. Pete has a strong artist community that I want to be a part of. Although I have been a Jewelry Designer since 2002, I also own an Advertising Design business with my husband. He's owned the business Culture Advertising Design (culture-ad.com) since 2001, and I quit my job as a Social Science Researcher in 2005 to join the business.
I joined the business mainly as a support to my husband and to spend more time with my children, but I don't plan to continue doing it forever. My passion is for my jewelry design and for my work and writings that empower women who want to be in and stay in long lasting loving relationships. I am the Editor of an online magazine, called Love's Gumbo (lovesgumbo.com). I sometimes do in-person sister circles surrounding this work, and I plan to grow more in this work and in my jewelry design, as well as doing some surface design work.
Jane:How did you start doing jewelry (or beadmaking) as a business? -
Brooke Brimm:As I said I was a Social Science researcher for several years. I began Jewelry Design as a creative outlet. Although I have a Master's Degree in Professional Counseling, the first year of my college education was in Fashion Design. I had become very closed off from my creative self. The company I worked for did governmental contractual evaluations pertaining to Public Health and Mental Health. My career was all charts, tables, scientific journals, and meetings. I was dying inside. Although, I had gone to school for Mental Health work, the job I was in wasn't anything like I had envisioned. I didn't feel like I was helping anyone. I needed more creative freedom.
There was an administrative assistant who was very creative. She would make jewelry and sell it at the office. I looked at her and became encouraged to try it myself. I started off doing beaded jewelry because that's the easiest place to start. I began selling my jewelry right away. As a matter of fact, I have a friend who still wears a choker I made her back in 2002. I found that selling it was a must to avoid the pile up of jewelry creations. I would feel guilty about buying more supplies, if I were not selling my jewelry. I also give many pieces away at holiday time and for Birthdays, etc.
Jane:Every artist has a personal "creative process", can you explain yours? -
Brooke Brimm: Prior to sitting at my jewelry table to design I start the creative process by studying. I study books, magazines, and I used to TIVO a show called Jewelry Making on DIY network. I also study materials and mediums. I explore paints, beads, findings, wires, clays and I then begin to imagine. I imagine how I could use my materials. From there I sit at my work table and work for hours, days, and sometimes weeks non-stop. The only requires I place on myself is that the pieces be stand-out and that they be lightweight. I design lots of large earrings, but I keep them very very lightweight. They don't stretch the ear hole at all.
Jane: 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? -
Brooke Brimm:As I stated earlier, I started with easy beaded jewelry. That was mostly larger beads. I then moved on to wire jewelry, and then seed bead creations. Currently, I am working with Polymer clay, plastic, and seed beads. I plan to move to Precious Metal Clay very soon.
Jane: Can you share with us a some jewelry making or design tips?
Brooke Brimm:Study, study, study and don't be afraid to expand. It's a good thing to use precious metal for ear wires, chains, and findings. Quality materials allow for timeless pieces.
Jane: If you teach, where will you be teaching this year?
Brooke Brimm:I don't necessarily teach. I do lead jewelry making parties for adults and tweens/ teens. The parties are quite fun. We laugh, talk, drink wine (adults only), nibble on snacks. and he guests go home with their own creations and a little knowledge for less than the price of buying piece from a designer.
Jane: Do you write jewelry making tutorials? Tell us more about it...What is your plan in tutorial writing?
Brooke Brimm: I don't write jewelry making tutorials. I am not sure if I have plans to or not. I did get a Youtube channel in my name to make videos, but I am not quite sure what the content will be. I do blog about jewelry, pop history, astrology, and whatever pops in my minds. You can find my blog on my website jewelryrockstar.com
To see more of Brooke Brimm's design please visit her site:
Website - jewelryrockstar.com
I wish Brooke all the best in her business and thanks for your sharing.
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