Name: Emily Gray
Website Link: http://www.emilygray.org/
Where are you located? Malvern, England
Tell us a bit about yourself: I’m the eldest of four daughters, born to doctor and dentist parents. Born and bred in England with an Honors Degree from UEA, Norwich in the History of Art. I have worked in engineering, investment banking (!), interior design and complementary therapy prior to coming to my senses and following my destiny to be an artist of one form or another. I’m married to David, a musician, and I have an adorable two-year-old daughter Roseanna.
When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? I began ‘making’ jewelry in 2003 in a very small way. I actually feel that at this point, my natural artistic instincts had been dormant for such a long time, it re-ignited my creativity and the whole thing snowballed from there! Having been out of the creative flow for such a long time (forced into academia rather than being allowed to take-up a rare and extremely coveted ‘direct entry’ to Art School), I knew something was seriously lacking from my life. Working in London was a thrill in many ways but the standard office lifestyle was so not me! Very quickly after discovering pliers, silver wire and gemstones (I know you ALL know what I mean here!), I became completely obsessed with making jewelry. The Complementary Therapy Practice that I had set-up funded my new passion and I quickly became more and more creative and began selling my work! Five and a half years on and I’m just as obsessed as I was back then. The difference now is that my life is just how I want it. I have a wonderful husband, a gorgeous daughter and I really feel I am living the life I was born to live, rather than the one that society was trying to push me into for so long.
What do you make? I call my style of jewelry ‘Fusion’ Jewelry. It is a synergistic mix of intricate wirework techniques with the finest gemstones.
What materials and methods do you use? I love to work with silver and gold metals and often oxidize the silver as I love the dramatic effect this creates. I have a *ridiculously* large stash of gemstones which I’m sure if I began this very second and never stopped, I could never hope to use up! Wire-wrapping is my favorite style to use in my pieces, but I am always trying new techniques.
Where do your design inspirations come from? I have images flying around my head all the time. Sometime these are inspired by something I have seen, such as a view, a flower, a piece of textiles – other times it could come from music or a smell or a poem. My art background is in world textiles and I am always reading books on the subject. My long-term passion is the Indian Sari which is a constant source of joy.
What is your best working environment/where is your studio? I have a home studio here in Malvern. Malvern is a beautiful town in the West of England, full of culture, and is a designated ‘area of outstanding natural beauty.’ However, I can work anywhere and some of my very best work has been done sitting on my rug on the sitting-room floor! David and I are looking for a bigger house and, when we move, I am hoping to have a garden studio. I can’t imagine anything more lovely than having my workspace open out onto a lush green lawn with gravel pathways and beautiful peonies and magnolias all around!
Where can your products be seen? On Etsy and Trunkt
Who are you a fan of? The one person who has constantly made me gasp in awe is Magdalena Borejko, but I must also name Holly of Bijoux d’Odalisque, Ivy of Edera Jewelry, Jennifer of JLeeOhio and Hee Soon of Sky Dreams as my favorites as I love virtually everything they create.
Price range: $65 to $2000
Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations: My favorite recent piece is the ‘Giverny Cuff Bracelet.’ It was one of those pieces that I created ‘in the zone’ and it went swimmingly from start to finish (sketch to photographs). I was thrilled with the finished piece and even happier that it sold within one day to one of my favorite customers!
Anything else you wish to add: I am so honored and happy to have been invited to do this interview. WorldArtisanGems is a wonderful place for Jewelry Artists of the globe to gather together in mutual admiration and get an insight into the things that motivate, inspire and excite us. Thank you!




When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? I was caught by the bead virus in summer 2004. I saw some lampwork beads in a shop window and that same day spent hours investigating, surfing the Internet and reading all about lampwork beading. One week later, I sat at the torch by myself and tried the first beads.
….. The beads I am making reflect the mood I am in when sitting at the torch. Perhaps this is why I love each new set most. There are sets that I do not forget because they meant a milestone for my work. These are certainly the sets that I did during my four month stay in Thailand .. one of those:


Tell us a bit about yourself: I’m a full time mixed media artist/wearable art/jewelry designer. I was born and raised in Zagreb, Croatia. I studied furniture design at University of Zagreb. In 1992, I moved to USA with my husband (who is also an artist), where our three children were born.



Tell us a bit about yourself: After 18 years of being a lawyer I have started beading as a hobby 5 years ago and I have been trained as a traditional jeweler for the last 3 years. Right now I continue my works with silver, gold and semi precious stones. I live in Istanbul with my husband, son and my cat.
What is your best working environment/where is your studio? My studio is where my old office used to be. But inspiration might come anywhere that’s why I have my sketch book with me all the time. I sketch anything that comes up to my mind.


Tell us a bit about yourself: I used to work as a computer programmer and database designer. After being stationed abroad for 12 years and returning to the states a year ago my husband encouraged me to pursue jewelry design as a business. So now I work from home and take care of our very spoiled dog and cat.
Upcoming events: Silent auction at Widener University School of Law
Tell us a bit about yourself: I grew up in Yugoslavia in a very artistic family. I spent my days in museums, galleries, and concert halls learning to appreciate the wonderful world of art. My childhood was affected by the communistic and socialistic regimes and art was my escape into a more wonderful and friendly world. I took many art classes like painting and ceramic sculpture. I received a diploma in leather accessory design. Currently, I am attending a school for interior design. I met my husband, Adam, in England. We fell in love and got married in Germany. It was quite an unusual love story, but it worked out for us and we were blessed with two wonderful boys that joined our family. Art was always a part of my life. All of life is art. For me, I’m doing art when I’m cooking, decorating my house, applying makeup in the morning, painting, and when I’m making dolls and jewelry. When art becomes a part of your soul, then everything you do in life is radiated in a beautifully creative light… Life becomes magical for you and everyone around you is affected. Creating an enchanted atmosphere is more than arranging furniture and cooking food, it is a reflection of who you have become. I would like to look back one day at my life and see it as one big art masterpiece combining these smaller pieces I do every day. We live in Northern Colorado. After years of searching, we moved here a couple years ago from California and we are finally home.
What do you make? I make jewelry, ceramics, and art dolls. I also sell kits for art dolls so people can make their own unique creations. By helping people express themselves, I feel that I am helping them further develop their own creative soul.
Where can your products be seen?

Tell us a bit about yourself: I am a full time glass bead designer living in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. I live with my very supportive boyfriend, 3 dogs and my rather pugnacious cat!


Bead and Button Show June 4-7


When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? It began when I was a very young girl drawing paper dolls with pages and pages of “outfits” including every possible accessory imaginable. I came from a very artistic family and we were always doing something creative. After high school I started painting in oils and still love to paint to this day. I learned to sew at a young age and when our youngest daughter married I made her wedding dress with over 80 yards of lace sewn on. I started beading back in the 80’s making the seed bead chandelier earrings that were so popular, then didn’t go any further with it until about 8 years ago. The beading world was really starting to evolve again and I fell in love with designing and making jewelry. It was like having a whole new type of canvas to work with and beading truly is an art form.
What materials and methods do you use? I love working with the gorgeous handmade lampwork beads that are available, there are some incredibly talented artists out there. All of the jewelry I make now is made with Sterling Silver, 14k gold filled or Vermeil components. I have recently started doing freeform peyote jewelry and it is fast becoming a favorite because it allows me to use my artistic abilities in the design and creation of a piece. I am always excited to learn new techniques and my jewelry designing is always evolving. I use a wide range of materials from crystal, glass, gemstones, pearls, lucite, whatever the design or the piece calls for.




Where can your products be seen? My most current work is on my 








Tell us a bit about yourself: I work as a bead artist from my home studio in Manhattan which is a treasure trove of beautiful beads to inspire me. I am married and have two children and four grandchildren
Where do your design inspirations come from? Everywhere I look

Tell us a bit about yourself: I was born in Pasadena, California where I lived in the same house for 18 years until my family moved to the San Francisco bay area. For as long as I remember I have had very busy hands. As a kid I used to draw so much my mother would go to the local newspaper and get the ends of the rolls of newsprint so I could have drawing paper. There was always some sort of craft project I was involved in. I would draw and paint for hours, disappear in my dad’s workshop to make candles, wire mobiles, resin flowers and too many things to even remember. I could totally entertain myself with projects and my parents were very patient! I have traveled all over the west and have lived in several interesting environments. I made a life change when I turned 30 and abandoned the world of food service, moved to the mountains and became a certified cross country ski instructor in the winter and a bicycle mechanic in the summer. I opened my own card, gift and bookstore in the ski resort village of Bear Valley, California which I operated for 10 years until I closed it and moved to Mountain Ranch. When I am not beading I work full time at our retail nursery and volunteer a day a week as a dog evaluator at our county animal shelter. I guess it would be more accurate to say when I am not working or volunteering I find the time to bead!
What is your best working environment/where is your studio? I have a small spot cleared out on a make-shift desk comprised of an old door set on two file cabinets in the home office for our business. I clear out a space among the stacks of paper work and bills. All my beads are stored in two large tackle boxes, which are stacked by the door in the bedroom. Since our house is only 800 square feet my beading can’t take up too much room. When I create a piece I select all the beads I will need and put everything else away. All the items I use can be neatly set aside so my work space can become a desk once again. I would love to have a studio or even my very own work table! I usually work with total silence, sometimes I’ll listen to music.



What made you choose this type of art? I love playing with clay of any type. I love polymer clay in particular for its instant gratification (a finished cured piece to gaze at in less than an hour) and the amazing things you can do with it and make it become. And of course, the color play. I love color!
What materials and methods do you use? I use polymer clay, mainly Kato and Premo! brands. I rarely use a color straight from the block. I mix my own colors and create blends using the Skinner Blend technique. I make mille fiore canes for my flower petals and my own techniques to create flowers on bead bases.

Tell us a bit about yourself: I was born in Moscow to a sculptor father and a scientist mother. I never fancied drawing and painting, but liked sculpting and gravitated to miniatures even in my early childhood. I was born left-handed and my grandmother taught me all kinds of feminine handcrafts like knitting, crocheting and embroidery in an effort to put right this “unnaturalness.” I didn’t become right-handed but now can effectively use both hands which is very helpful in my current line of art. I studied mathematics and computer science in high school and Moscow University but never finished the university. I married very young and devoted 12 years to bring up my 5 children. During the next 8 years I helped my husband in his business and only in the end of 2004 decided to go on and make my hobby a full time occupation. We moved to Israel in 1988 and now I live and work in the beautiful town of Maale Adumim near Jerusalem.
When did you begin designing jewelry/art? My first seed beads came from a broken Czech necklace. The beads were black and white and I made an ornamental bracelet with wire. I was 7 at that time. It is hard to imagine this now but there were no beading books in 1970 in Moscow, so I invented different methods of beadwork myself. I use these methods to this day. It turns out many of these stitches well-known and have a name. In much later years, I discovered internet shops with all the different materials and incorporated natural stones and pearls in my beadwork.
What do you make? I make jewelry. All kinds, but the most satisfaction I get is from creating necklaces.


Tell us a bit about yourself: I am retired after having worked at the corporate offices of Estee Lauder for 22 years. I am single and live in a small apartment overrun with beads, clothing and shoes.
Where do your design inspirations come from? My inspiration might come from a picture, clothing or something colorful and then I try to interpret that into a beaded piece of

































