World Artisan Gems

Name:   Paula Huckabay

Website Link: http://www.pacificjewelrydesigns.com

Where are you located?  Fresno CA

moss freeform peyote

Tell us a bit about yourself:  A self taught artist, I have been drawing and painting most of my life.  I have lived and traveled over much of this great country (and Canada) and would love to visit other parts of the world.  I am one of those who does not step out of the house without wearing my jewelry whether I’m in blue jeans or dressed to the nines!   I love feminine things and jewelry to me is like the frame on a painting, you are just not complete without it.  I am a proud member of SRAJD (self representing artist jewelry designer).

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 do you make? Mostly bracelets, necklaces and earrings but I am venturing into a few new things such as brooches, more extensive freeform peyote and cabochons, LOVE cabochons! 

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 do your design inspirations come from? Inspiration comes from many different places.   At times it comes from the beads, sometimes it is a color combination I want to work with or it could be a thought in the middle of the night.  Other times it might be some place I have seen or visited or even just a frame of mind, standing in the sand at the ocean or the first bloom of a flower in spring.  Yes, anywhere and everywhere.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio?  My studio is currently a spare bedroom so I am fortunate enough to have room for my oil painting and my jewelry making both but I must say the painting space has been losing ground.  There is almost always music in my studio and it might be Billy Holiday, Leon Russell or Asleep at the Wheel…..who knows?

Where can your products be seen?  My work can be seen at my website,        on Etsy       and Artfire 

Upcoming events:  none scheduled at present

Magazine articles or press:  Featured in Beading Daily “Jewelry Using Combined Techniques” and also Beading Daily “Fall 2008 Reader Gallery.”  I haven’t submitted to a magazine yet, but plan to.

Who are you a fan of?  There are some truly outstanding designers today including Holly (or “hey you”) of Bijoux d’Odalisque, Emily Gray, Sherri Serafini and many more.  My sister Sheila, my daughter Lisa, my sister-in-law Penny and my niece Stephanie are all fantastic jewelry designers and also wonderful inspiration for me.

Price range:  Currently $20 to $300

Tell us  a little about one of your favorite creations:  One of my favorite pieces is the Vintage Blush freeform peyote bracelet, the inspiration being the vintage blush colored glass button.   It was one of my first attempts at freeform peyote and it made me realize the endless possibilities for making truly artistic jewelry.

vintage blush freeform peyote

Anything else you wish to add?  I thank you for the invitation to do this interview and I am honored that you chose my designs.  I applaud what you are doing in bringing awareness to this beautiful form of art.