Ann Ahlers

Ann Ahlers

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Jewelry-Making Contest 2010 featuring Gemstones

Finalist

Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Aurora, Colorado

Describe your artistic style.
My style is based on part inspiration and part experimentation.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I am inspired by various things, including colors and shapes seen in nature and art.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I prefer using gemstones. They have such a natural beauty and add a touch of luxury.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Vertical Sunset

What inspired this design?
Many sunsets seen in Denver are pink, red, orange and blue, but one night it was purple and orange. I might not otherwise have put these colors together, but it was so striking in nature, it stuck with me.

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
I began simply with the colors. From there, I sketched a design, but once I began to put it together, it wasn't working for me. Eventually, through trying various things, I hit on the vertical striated design.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I began making jewelry roughly 10 years ago, when a friend showed me some basic techniques.

Do you have an artistic background?
I have always felt "artistic" and enjoy a variety of crafts, but have never made a living in art.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
I think I must have seen an ad.

What other hobbies do you have?
I also enjoy counted cross-stitch, reading and occasionally other "crafts."

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Jewelry-making is a hobby for me and has served as one of many creative outlets. At one particularly difficult time in my life, it was therapeutic to create something beautiful in a dark time.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I used to have my work in an artisans' store, but the store closed and I did not pursue another option.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Don't be afraid to try all kinds of ideas. If you don't like it or it doesn't work out, you can always take it apart and try something different.