World Artisan Gems

Name: Jean Power

Website Link: www.jeanpower.com 

Where are you located?  London, England

Tell us a bit about yourself: I currently work as the editor of a bead magazine and when not working on this I teach beading and jewellery making as well as write articles and projects for other publications and for sale directly through my website. I am also working hard on my third jewellery/ beading book. When not working or beading I also love other crafts and arts including painting, felt-making, polymer clay, crochet and the list goes on!

Pearl & Crystal Brooch

When did you begin designing jewelry/art?

I have long pursued crafts and arts but around 7 years ago I really discovered beading and my love for it was instant.

What made you choose this type of art? I love the beads themselves: their colours, shapes, sizes and sparkle. I am endless fascinated by beading techniques and how they can be experimented with and adapted and enjoy playing around with the limitations that the beads themselves put on techniques and my ideas.

What do you make? Mainly beaded jewellery but also wirework, embroidery and chain maille items.

What materials and methods do you use? I use a mix of all types of beads from tiny glass seed beads to large plastic beads with every sort of gemstone, bead and bauble along the way- I love them all equally! However for a few years I have primarily focused on my Geometric Beadwork Series which is best made using cylinder beads.

Serpentine cabachon cuff

Where do your design inspirations come from? I am mainly inspired by geometry and how the beads want to fit together. But I am also inspired by nature and items around me.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? I work from home with my beadwork on a tray on my lap listening to music or the radio or watching films or tv. These beading trays do tend to travel around the house though and I always have a few different projects on the go at once.

Upcoming events: My new book will be published around August 2009 and I will be launching a new range of kits towards the end of 2008.

Magazine articles or press:  I have had quite a few projects published in a variety of different magazines both in the US and the UK. My work has appeared in the magazines Beadwork, Bead & Button, Step-By-Step Wire, Step-By-Step Beads and Jewelry Crafts as well as Bead Magazine which I edit.

Geometric 3-4-3

Are you a fan of any jewelry artisans?

I’m a huge fan of most types of jewellery! But because my heart is with beads it is beadwork artists who come to mind. There are many of them whose work I admire, adore, covet and often wish I had created: Suzanne Golden, Christine Marie Noguerre, Lynn Davy, Merle Berelowitz, Joyce Scott, Kerrie Slade, David Chatt, Maggie Meister, Laura McCabe, Robin Atkins, Rebeka Hodous and Ann Tevepaugh Mitchell.

Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations: My favourite pieces are my recent ‘star necklaces’ which are individually called Geometric 2.8.1, 2.8.2, 2.8.5 and 2.8.6. of these I think my favourite is 2.8.2 as it is so striking- but this choice varies daily.

geometric-2-8-2

Anything else you wish to add?  The only thing better than beading, reading about or buying beads is bringing beading to others whether through teaching, sharing or writing. Don’t keep your talents to yourself: share with others and spread the word.