Exclusive Interview with Linda Jones
Linda Jones is a U.K.-based jewelry designer who has exhibited and sold her work nationally in shops, galleries and shows. She originally trained at the Metropolitan University, London, specializing in enameling. In the late 1990's, she began teaching wire jewelry, setting up her own creative wire workshops. Ms. Jones is also the author of Creating Beaded and Wire Jewelry (2004, North Light Books), and Making Colorful Wire and Beaded Jewelry, which will be released March, 2006.
How long have you been making jewelry? Tell me about your start.
I have been making jewelry for 15 years. Initially I specialized in creating and designing enameled and silver pieces, following a traditional 2 year jewelry making course that I completed when I lived in London. I then produced a range of photo-etched metal jewelry which I sold in galleries and shops in London through an agent. However, following my marriage breakdown (9 years ago), I had to rethink how to support myself and two young sons (then only 4 & 6 years old), so I sold my work in craft fairs and made one-off jewelry commissions (specializing in wedding jewelry) as well as setting up jewelry making workshops for children's birthday parties. I later began teaching wire and bead classes at the local adult education center. I now run Creative Wire Jewelry workshops from my studio in Kent, as well as demonstrate and teach in various craft events.
Which of the new project ideas in your new book, Making Colorful Wire & Beaded Jewelry is your favorite and why?
I've just received an advanced copy of the book and I know anyone with a grain of interest in beading, jewelry making and design will just love it!! It's currently available to order online on Amazon as well as from most book shops. As for favorite projects, I find that difficult to answer, as the pieces are all so different ... however, I am pleased with the 'Far Eastern' silver necklace, which is created out of hammered curved wires, purely because it is such a simple, but effective design!
If you could only wear one piece of jewelry for the rest of your life and it had to be one that you'd designed which one would it be?
I change my jewelry with my moods, the weather and life experiences and influences ... and my passion for designing is based around color and form. However, if I had to wear just one piece, I think it would be a simple white and yellow gold 'S' link chain necklace, with a turquoise bead suspended from the clasp. The two-tone gold and silver would mean I could wear it with anything, the style and design is simple, so it would look great with casual and smart clothes and the turquoise bead is my birthstone (and I love jewelry that has an extra symbolic quality). I could also wear the bead suspended at the front to create an alternative look!
Where do you get your inspirations or ideas?
Initially my inspiration came from my childhood years in East & West Africa and travels in the Far East. These formative years definitely fuelled my inner creativity with colorful cultures, their artifacts and handicrafts. However, if I'm ever at a loss for an idea or need instant inspiration, I usually look to nature - the color and shapes in plants, insects, fish, birds, etc... I've learned how to extract the essence or quality from something I'm drawn to, so that I can use it in a 2-dimentional, abstract form. This usually takes the form of many stages, just as we all evolve as humans, creative ideas evolve in a similar way.
What advice would you have for someone who is just starting out beading or making jewelry?
I would suggest that you buy a reasonable set of pliers (not the cheapest, but the next range up) as cheap hobby pliers will never produce good quality jewelry. The analogy is like cooking and using a cheap, kitchen knife to cut vegetables! It is also important to learn some very basic techniques (such as threading beads with wire, making jump rings and spirals) before you attempt anything too complicated, this will get you used to your tools and materials and provide you with confidence. Once you've mastered and are proficient with essential basics, you'll be amazed how easy everything else seems! I can highly recommend the first chapters in both my books: Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry and Making Colorful Wire and Beaded Jewelry, as these take you through the basics with clear, step by step photography.
What other hobbies or activities do you use to fill your spare time?
I love the theatre and music and going for nice long walks around the fields near my house. I also enjoy cooking and creating new recipes (some not so successful as others!!) as well as visiting art galleries and seeing exhibitions. My hobbies are drawing (doodling and sketching) and obviously, buying beads and fiddling with wire!!
