Robin Bitzer

Robin Bitzer

Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Contest 2010 featuring Seed Beads

Finalist

Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Baudette, Minnesota

Describe your artistic style.
I like simplicity, not chunky or overly dramatic.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I tend to be inspired by nature, plants, birds and fish.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
I love crystals for their "bling" factor when I can afford them. I also love pearls and especially seed beads for their color and sheen variety.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Floral Wings Necklace

What inspired this design?
I fell in love with Russian leaves the moment I laid eyes on one. I kept having to look up the instructions, so I sat down one day and made them until I understood them. I then looked in a book for a frame to sew them on and discovered chevron stitch, which I also fell I love with. The rest just fell into place.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
About six or seven years ago I bought a bunch of seed beads and some half finished projects. I am addicted to color, so I started fooling around. My husband gave me an old Fire Mountain Gems catalog he had laying around. The finished pieces and "all the pretty colors" inspired me.

Do you have an artistic background?
I've always been creative as far back as I can remember. A new box of crayons still excites me. I did go to art college, but making a living got in the way.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
My husband gave me an old catalog he had.

What other hobbies do you have?
Gardening, landscaping and fishing.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Beading is relaxing to me. My beading area is the only part of my house that is completely mine. When I get compliments on a piece, it builds me up.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I just have a few pieces in a flower shop I clean. I do take orders for custom pieces. Wearing them helps sell. I also do crafts shows with my husband and his brother.

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
I do donate pieces to every little fundraiser my little town has.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Go with the flow and let your spirit fly.