Carol Lee Hansen

Carol Lee Hansen

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

Finalist

Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Santa Rosa, California

Describe your artistic style.
Right brain intuition for harmony edited by left brain education, providing beauty, rhythm and emotion.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Beauty, nature, feelings evoked by stones, the blend of colors and materials promote moods and poetry.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Natural stone, metals, porcelain and crystal.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Simple Pleasures

What inspired this design?
A piece of jewelry I inherited had metal and porcelain, but cried for redesign. The colors in the porcelain dictated the types of materials chosen.

How did it come together? For example, did you plan it out or did it define itself once you began working?
I had an idea to do a three-strand piece when I took the old piece apart. I found other beads that complimented the beads. Most difficult was choosing the focal and spacing the three strands.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
My sister started this as an outlet from the stress of care giving our mother. She showed me how to make necklaces and I became aware of my own abilities.

Who introduced you to beading?
My sister, Gwen Palmer and my cousin-in-law Charlotte Stafford. They showed me this creative outlet as a relaxation method and I was surprised at my abilities.

Do you have an artistic background?
I have dabbled in painting, done embroidery, rug making and written stories and poetry.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
My cousin showed me the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads catalog and website. You have the best selections and prices.

What other hobbies do you have?
Gardening, reading, model trains, sewing and needlework.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Jewelry-making began as a hobby and evolved into a third career (part-time). It is something I can do at home that is not physically demanding. It is restful.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
We work together at craft fairs, have jewelry parties and show to friends. We have a website, but need more publicity.

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
No, but I would consider this if I were more successful.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
There's a lot of competition. Have your own twist and a marketing strategy unless it is only a hobby. Get a resale permit. Take a class, read a book or watch a video for the basics. Use the resources at www.firemountaingems.com. Get an unbiased opinion of your work.