Announcing the Winner for Exotic Locations Theme Jewelry Designs (June 2014)

I’d like to thank everyone who participated in June 2014 SRAJD challenges. The results for the Exotic Locations themed challenges can be seen here:

Kyoto Japan
Deadvlei Namibia
Antelope Canyon, USA
Angkor Wat Cambodia
Marble Caves of Chile
Overall Exotic Locations, not specific to any of the weekly challenges

The administrative staff at SRAJD selected one overall winner for June. This person’s designs were chosen as best exemplifying the challenge themes.

Congratulations Jo Pound of Jewelry by Jolane!

These were Jo’s entries for the weekly challenges: 

Kyoto Japan

Deadvlei Namibia

 

Antelope Canyon USA

Angkor Wat Cambodia

  Marble Caves of Chile

Overall

We thought it would be nice to get to know a little bit more about Jo so I asked her some questions…

What prompts you to embrace SRAJD contests?
I really enjoy the contests because they challenge me to do new things and give me new ideas which in turn gives new and interesting ways to use in my everyday designs. It is also a good way to see what everyone else’s interpretations are and to get your work out there to be seen.

How did you learn your craft?

I am self taught. I have always been interested in creating and making things beautiful. A few years ago I saw a magazine on jewelry and decided that’s what I wanted to do next, and just got right to it!

What do you think is the most interesting thing about your creative expression?

What’s interesting to me is that I continually surprise myself! One idea just rolls into another and sometimes it just creates an avalanche! I’ve found I really enjoy trying to express my ideas or tell a story with my jewelry.

What themes do you pursue?

I seem to have fallen in love with bead embroidery. It’s a really good way to express and tell your story about whatever it is you're trying to convey. I really like anything that includes beads!

Did you always want to be a jewelry artist?

I have only been making jewelry for about 7 years. I tell everyone that I wish I had discovered this 20 years ago! I enjoy creating and if they happen to be beautiful, that’s even better! I do seem to enjoy this more than anything else I have done before.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a self-representing artist?

I guess the biggest challenge is trying to get more hours in a day so I can bead longer! Also getting my work out for other people to see. SRAJD has been a great way to get exposure and lots of fun. It has been great to belong to a community with other jewelry designers who have some of the same challenges and problems that I have encountered, and have found ways to solve them, Self-advertising has never been a strong point for me and this has made it easier and I am continuing to learn more all the time and that is a good thing.

What role does the artist have in society?

I think art and jewelry are the beautiful things in life and bring people much joy and happiness. We need them to create a balance to combat the ugly things going on in life. There are so many talented people and let’s face it, some are just downright beautiful to look at and wear!

How has your art changed over time?

I use to do stained glass and loved the soldering part the best. I saw a magazine in wire working and knew I just had to do that. I loved working with the wire and manipulating it into designs. I wanted to get into metal work, but my hands thought it best if I starting working with softer things! So I switched to beadwork and I have never looked back. I enjoy bead embroidery the very best and I am looking forward to learning new things and techniques.

What does the future hold for you?

I hope tons of beads, new techniques and lots of new ideas! I hope to be doing this for a long time, as long as I am able. I love being creative and working with creative people. I also hope to be successful, although there are many ways to interpret ‘success’.
Jo, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. It’s an immense pleasure seeing your work and getting to know you better!

See more of Jo’s fabulous jewelry here: http://www.jewelrybyjolane.com/