Do What You Love ~ Love What You Do!
My name is Debra Strickland, and I am a jewelry artist/metalsmith living in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with my husband, two handsome sons, a cockatiel, a dog, and several goldfish! I have always had a creative nature and am rarely without some sort of artistic project in the wings. Early in my childhood I learned sewing and embroidery from my mom. In high school, I was fortunate enough to take a jewelry making class where I learned torch work and casting from an awesome art teacher! This class was just enough to get a taste of jewelry making, and spurred on the idea of doing this as a career, always keeping it in the back of my mind. But life interrupted that dream for a time, and other careers came to the forefront.
In the meantime, I found other creative outlets in cross-stitching, photography, painting, calligraphy, rubber stamping, and paper arts. My love of creating cards with rubber stamps became a business called Stamps and Stripes Forever, a retail store selling art stamps, paper and much more. During the five years I worked in the rubber stamping industry I had several projects published in Somerset Studio, and The Rubber Stamper magazines and taught many card making classes, enjoying every moment of it all!
After my children were born, I left that career to be a full time mom, a decision I will never regret because they are truly a blessing to my life everyday!
In 2003, I rediscovered jewelry making, and began learning new techniques! Wire wrapped jewelry has always intrigued me, and I took a few classes at a local bead store to learn the basic techniques. But when I came across Eni Oken’s website it stirred something within my soul! After purchasing a few tutorials from Eni, Magdalena Borejko, and Iza Malczyk, I knew that this was the beginning of a new passion in my life! I have learned volumes from these jewelry artists, and consider these ladies to be the best in the business! Their tutorials were the basis of many of my inspirations, and their willingness to share their techniques started me toward my new career!
Now it is my passion to create one of kind pieces of jewelry, something that will be passed down from mother to daughter in the generations to come. I strive to create quality jewelry that is elegant and will bring the wearer compliments, pleasure and enjoyment! It is my desire for you to feel as passionate about the pieces you purchase from my shop as I do in creating them for you to wear!
Thank you for visiting my shop and allowing me to share my love of creating jewelry with you!
Blessings,
Debra
Self Representing Artist Jewelry Designer Member #804 (SRAJD)
In the meantime, I found other creative outlets in cross-stitching, photography, painting, calligraphy, rubber stamping, and paper arts. My love of creating cards with rubber stamps became a business called Stamps and Stripes Forever, a retail store selling art stamps, paper and much more. During the five years I worked in the rubber stamping industry I had several projects published in Somerset Studio, and The Rubber Stamper magazines and taught many card making classes, enjoying every moment of it all!
After my children were born, I left that career to be a full time mom, a decision I will never regret because they are truly a blessing to my life everyday!
In 2003, I rediscovered jewelry making, and began learning new techniques! Wire wrapped jewelry has always intrigued me, and I took a few classes at a local bead store to learn the basic techniques. But when I came across Eni Oken’s website it stirred something within my soul! After purchasing a few tutorials from Eni, Magdalena Borejko, and Iza Malczyk, I knew that this was the beginning of a new passion in my life! I have learned volumes from these jewelry artists, and consider these ladies to be the best in the business! Their tutorials were the basis of many of my inspirations, and their willingness to share their techniques started me toward my new career!
Now it is my passion to create one of kind pieces of jewelry, something that will be passed down from mother to daughter in the generations to come. I strive to create quality jewelry that is elegant and will bring the wearer compliments, pleasure and enjoyment! It is my desire for you to feel as passionate about the pieces you purchase from my shop as I do in creating them for you to wear!
Thank you for visiting my shop and allowing me to share my love of creating jewelry with you!
Blessings,
Debra
Self Representing Artist Jewelry Designer Member #804 (SRAJD)