Interview with Betty Cox of UniqueandMacabre

Step into the world of Betty Cox and her Etsy shop, “UniqueandMacabre”, open since 2012, and you will certainly feel like a kid in a candy store.  The beautiful colors and the intricate textures of her work both invite and excite the eye.  While the nature of some of Betty’s art pieces may shock and disturb the squeamish, the macabre themes are very interesting and thought-provoking.   Her pieces do what art should do; they inspire, and evoke conversation.  As you browse through her shop, Betty’s creative use of contrasts and her attention to detail, grabs you and holds you until you have viewed every single listing.  

Betty was an artist at a young age and then music took over.  She is a trained Cellist with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance but it was a summer job as a nurse’s aide that led her to become a Registered Nurse, then later she obtained a Master’s degree in science / maternal child/ midwifery from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She is currently practicing as a Certified Nurse Midwife in San Diego at Kaiser Permanente.

Betty started her venture in jewelry making by stringing beads, then creating polymer clay beads and resin jewelry.  Later she was inspired by a good friend, who created lamp work beads and made beautiful jewelry using seed beads.  Betty’s first seed beaded piece of jewelry was a Carol Wells
 “Cha Cha” bracelet!  She loved figuring out the colors, stones, gems and textures, it took her about 4 months to complete because she wasn't used to working with tiny beads!!!     

Betty has been beading for about 7 years and she joined the Etsy BeadWeavers Team because she was inspired by, and had respect for all of the spectacular bead artists on the team.  It was also important to her that she could be as unique as she wanted but still accepted by the team.

She markets her jewelry primarily through her Etsy shop, but also word of mouth, local shows, teams, and contests!   

You are a certified Nurse Midwife and a former musician, which one of those professions fueled your interest in the macabre? The artistic/musician side most likely influences my creations.  The macabre in my creations is probably fueled by my childhood.  I’m fascinated with things that are a bit scary and things that aren't real, such as dinosaurs, monsters and " things that go bump in the night" 

 What is your design process when creating a new piece?

 I base my creations on a focal piece. I glue them to stiff material I usually have either a pendant, brooch or bracelet in mind and proceed to select colors, textures.  I use a white marker for lines that flow around the focal piece, then I start creating and my pieces generally evolve.  

How are you able to balance color, texture, and the macabre in your pieces? 

 I do love to mix the beautiful with the macabre.   I love color and texture so my pieces that include daggers, stones, drops give it more character in my eyes.  I think of my work like a painter or sculpture so I try to include the macabre along with beauty in mind

Is there a story behind the frequent use of “eyeballs” in your work?

There is no story behind my eyes but they often develop as I create.  Even I'm surprised when I'm in the middle of creating and by the outcome!!!  

 Which bead artists inspire you?

I’m inspired by Sherry Serafini, Heidi Kumili and Laura McCabe.  I was fascinated by their unique, colorful styles! The prosthetic glass eyes that Laura used were fascinating to me and couldn't wait to find some!  

Who is your customer?
My customer is often one that either loves the unique, kind of weird or different style.  I once had a customer that wanted 14 custom pieces.    

What has been the most challenging part of owning an Etsy shop?

The most challenging part of owning an Etsy shop is keeping up with posts of other artist’s work.   I'm often distracted throughout the day because I want to see and like everything!!  I also want to keep myself busy creating my own work to keep my viewers and customers interested.

What are your tips or advice on maintaining an Etsy shop?

Tips and advice to maintaining my Etsy shop, is to look every day and like other artist’s work, because the feedback I get on my own work inspires me.  Look at what sells and what doesn't and think of how your work stands out from the rest.  My best advice is don't be afraid to explore something different.

The work of Betty Cox is proof that beauty is in the “eyeball” of the beholder.
To see all of Betty’s beautiful creations please visit her shop at:  https://www.etsy.com/people/Booop56

To see more of Betty’s beautiful work, visit the links below.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/UniqueandMacabre 
https://www.facebook.com/UniqueandMacabre

Interview with April Challenge 'Pompeii' Second Place Winner Edita Kricenaite of RebelSoulEK

  

See all the beautiful original submissions!

 Make sure to also visit these links!

Edita Kricenaite’s Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RebelSoulEk

Edita 's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RebelsoulEk

Edita’s Website:  http://www.rebelsoulek.com/

Hello Edita,My name is Patti, interviewing you on behalf of the Etsy Beadweaver Team. Your Lava neckpiece is a wonderful mix of freeform and bead embroidery and a lovely interpretation of the theme. How do you design your pieces, do you draw them out first or just follow where the beads lead you?

Thank you for your nice words. I don't always use the same scheme. Sometimes I see my future works on dreams, sometimes I get a complete image in my mind and cant forget it till realization, sometimes I take interesting material in my hands and simply allow the flow of brainstorming, like a visionary I let the same material to tell its own story :).
I don't always do sketches, but noticed with the sketches I make fewer mistakes, less jewelries needs to be repaired. However work "on a flow" brings me much more fun and more unexpected decision. I can say that the method of creation is dictated by my mood.

Who is your favorite artist or bead artist, and why?

My favorite bead artist is Guzel Bakeeva (GBD). Her works are romantic and bold, modern but at the same time has that antique taste, and all of them are very artistic, original and unusual. Her shapes and color palettes are simply amazing. As I look at her works I feel that energy of maximum creative potentiality! I wish people looking at my work in similar way.

What are your favorite styles or stitches in beading, and your favorite materials to use?

My favorite style I can call "guns'n'roses". I mean I like romantic, slightly medieval style mixed with modern drama, freedom and a little drop of aggression. I don't like than my work seems to be too sweet. I love contrasts. Every time I seek to impress myself.
I usually choose bead embroidery, but also like bead weaving stitches (mostly herringbone or peyote). It’s hard to choose favorite materials, I like to use something new and something very shiny. I also like natural materials such as wood, semi-precious stones, copper, brass...

Do you listen to music or watch movies while you work on your beading?

I frequently watch movies, TV shows or listening to educational lectures. Very often my laptop is my worktable, and it is constantly covered with seed beads...

Is there a technique you are looking forward to learning more about?

I would like to insert more bead weaving element to my works. I think the most beautiful are mix technique works. For now I mostly use bead embroidery, because it is a less time consuming technique than bead weaving.

What do you like best about working with beads? What do you like least?

The most fascinating thing about beads is how very small seed beads can make a large object. Order out of chaos;). I also like to play with colors. Working with seed bead calms me, teaches patience, sometimes I feel when my mind falls into a trance. I love that state of being here and now. 
I like least ... when my embroidery thread ends! Each time this fact irritates me!!! I know it is stupid :D. I also hate when some very expensive beads accidentally spill on the floor... Well you know that feeling ...


What led you to working with beads? Do you have an arts background or training?

In Lithuania (my birthplace), we have a proverb, "The apple does not fall far from the tree." Meaning: Children Observe daily and - in Their Behavior - often follow the example of Their Parents. My mother embroiders pictures with seed beads. Previously I made fun of her hobby. It seemed a useless occupation and a waste of time. Then my own life turned so that I fallen in love with this hobby too.
After studies at Academy of Fine Arts (Bachelor of Architecture) I moved to another country (Italy). There I lived for a few years without a job and friends. At first I had to learn new foreign language, to make tons of new documents and adapt to the new way of life. It was a very difficult time for me with a lot of free (and boring) time! Then suddenly I found Bead weaving online courses and enrolled there. It changed my life. So far, my course teacher Vitalija Velyviene became one of my best friend and counselor in seed beads (and my own) life.

Italy is a beautiful country, and offers much to inspire, such as Pompeii. Is there another country you desire to visit, and why?

If only I could my entire life to dedicate to the trips and exploration of this world! Currently, I wish the most to see India, Japan and Australia. I like to travel to completely different environment where everything seems like a dream. I like to experience culture shock, because it makes me feel like a child, where the whole world is undiscovered miracle and full of opportunities! Such an inspiring feeling!

Is there anything else you would like to share with the EBW community?

I wish all members good luck, inspiration and lots of sales. 
I wish this lovely activity becomes the main job to every of them.
I wish each of them could unfold their uniqueness, sense of love and beauty. 
I believe our creativity could make this world a better place! So keep calm and don't stop beading :* .

Thank you so much. It is nice to learn about you and your methodology. I can't wait to see more of your bead work. Good luck with all your future endeavors.

First Shop Feature and Interview! Angel Mcllwain of Painted Tree Studio

Meet Angel Mcllwain, a self-taught beadwork artist and owner of
“Painted Tree Studio” since 2010, an Etsy shop specializing in jewelry from the heart. 

Angel, a former art director for TIME magazine in New York City, left the hustle and bustle of city life and moved to the middle of nowhere in the Appalachian region of Ohio. The beauty and serenity of her natural surroundings are part of the inspiration for her jewelry designs.
She initially sold paper goods, but began beading in 2011 during her treatments for a devastating cancer diagnosis. Angel, who has a background in painting and is an avid bead collector, did not have the energy to paint in her studio (which sits in the front of her 5 acre yard) during her cancer treatments. She did, however, have an appreciation for the beauty of nature, a need to express her creativity and a message to share.

Featured in Angel's Shop!

The outside of Angel's gorgeous studio

The story behind your “Heart and Hope of Courage Brooches” touched my heart. I’m very sorry you have to experience this terrible disease. How has beading helped you mentally or spiritually in your fight against Breast Cancer?

I started beading because of cancer. Creative types have a difficult time being still. I didn’t have the energy for my studio but I was itching to create (sitting and resting is so dreadfully boring) that I took up beading. I have had a passion for beads all of my life and I have lugged four large boxes of beads that I collected when I was a child with me to everyplace I’ve lived including college. I made the hearts because I don’t much care for the Korman group and because I hate the word survivor, I won’t survive this disease and many of my friends have already died. I like the idea of wearing a heart instead. It represent love, and love surpasses death. 

 Heart of Courage Brooch

How are you able to juggle maintaining your Etsy Shop and the demands of your personal life?
Not so well, during the school year I substitute teach and tutor. Things get a little hairy sometimes. My 14 year old boy has track and he practices every day. I also tutor after school. I want to devote myself to working on my Etsy shops and blogs. I’m hoping to do my creative work full-time. It’s a difficult transition made harder by cancer and single parenthood, but
every day is a fresh chance and here I am making my start at moving forward.

Many of your pieces have beautiful earthy tones, what inspires the color palettes you use, and what materials do you favor?

I live in the woods and the fresh air of the outdoors inspire me. When the weather warms, we all but move outside. We have beautiful flower gardens and lovely shade trees. We also have a large 10x20 canopy with tables and chairs under it. I like to mix up my materials but I love to use beads that have a patina on them, or unusual objects.

A new bracelet full of texture

 
How would you describe the type of jewelry you make and are you currently working on a new piece?

My friend says that my mom and I make pretty jewelry. I can’t say that I have developed a particular style other than to say that I love nature and I’m fascinated by patterns. I acquired some beautiful pieces of sea polished abalone this summer that I am excited to get to work on, also I love making rings because I love to wear rings.

 A monochromatic bracelet with a beautiful earthy tone

How did you come up with the name “Painted Tree Studio” for your Etsy shop?

I have two shops at the moment, PaintedTreeStudio and BlueSkiesandBirdSong.
The latter is clearly inspired by my home. The former is inspired by a house post I found in an old cabin painted white. They used a tree with a natural v shape as a support for a low ceiling. I use it as an outdoor shelf in front of my studio. The photo of my studio was taken before my find.

 

Angel texturized this ring with a double beading technique!

 
What has been the most rewarding thing about starting a handmade business, and what has been the most difficult?

I simply like to produce things of beauty but I am terrible at marketing. I’m reading several books at an attempt to correct the error of my ways. If I can conquer that issue, there will be no stopping me.

Angel played with different bead sizes

Angel is proof that when one door closes another one opens, and that inspiration surrounds us if we just slow down and take time to notice. If you would like to know more about Angel and her beautiful designs please visit the links below:
http://www.facebook.com/paintedtreestudiobeadwork/
http://www.facebook.com/Blue-Skies-and- ... 965537484/
blueskiesandbirdsong.wordpress.com 

Patrice Thomas is an interviewer part of the EBW blog team! (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/MsBusyHands)
Want your chance to be interviewed? Message Elyse T. or email her Here to be added to the Shop Feature Poll! (