Ceramic bead artist Gaea
Q: Can you tell us a bit of the beginning of your career as a ceramic bead artist.
It all started with a ceramics class in collage. You were only allowed to take it four times so many of us would not pass that fourth time so we could take it again. This is how addictive clay work is. It also taught the basics as well as safely practices and glaze chemistry. I wish I remembered more about the glaze chemistry! I also have a love of jewelry which I blame on my mom, and at the holidays I would make jewelry as gifts for friends and family. One year I wanted the jewelry elements to be a bit more personal, so I broke out our stash of polymer clay and baked up some pendants and charms. My husband saw this and said, “You know, you could make thoseout of ceramic.”
This was in 1999. We spent the next weekend experimenting and playing. Those first pendants looked awful but at the same time it was divine! This was about the time my job as an art director for a magazine was in jeopardy due to lay offs. I had been working from home so I could care for our newborn son. It seemed like a good time to jump into jewelry design and beads full time. I would take my beads to color match at the bead shops and the owner would ask where the pendants came from. It was nice to say “ME!”
Q: Why did you choose the medium ceramic? You also are working with copper. Are you planning to explore other materials as well in the future, like polymer clay or glass?
Always exploring new materials! You can find the most unlikely materials in the most unlikely places. Always keep your eyes open! I still play with polymer clay. The kids love this too for it's almost instant gratification. My daughter has been making gift necklaces for friends out of sculpey. She LOVES it!