Suzie Salazar

Dragonfly Pin

Design Idea C74S Necklace

Spring Flowers
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Jewelry-Making Contest 2012 featuring Metal
Finalist

Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Alvarado, Texas

Describe your artistic style.
I don't know if I've really found my style yet--it seems to change with the seasons. I like making jewelry that is either simplistic or extremely intricate in design.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Nature.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Sterling silver, copper, brass metals and wire.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Dragonfly Pin

What inspired this design?
My garden attracted a ton of dragonflies when I made this--I love watching them!

How did it come together?
I knew that I wanted it to be 3-D--so I drew quite a few plans and decided to wire wrap the wings to show the delicate nature of this insect.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
In 2008-2009 I took an Art Metals class at the local community college. I loved it so much that I signed up for three more semesters!

Who introduced you to beading?
KC Jenkins--my instructor

Do you have an artistic background?
Yes, my mother claims that I was born with crayons and paper! My earliest memory of drawing is at the age of four. I drew a very decent likeness of our VW Bug. I have done everything from ceramics to mural painting. I am currently enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington majoring in Art Education.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
Through my instructor KC Jenkins.

What other hobbies do you have?
Gardening, camping and hanging out with my family.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
Jewelry making / any type of art making is the way I relieve stress and escape. I am a full time student right now.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I enter occasional local festivals if the booth rental isn't too high. I enjoy selling my wares.