Caitie Whitsitt

Stars of Heaven

Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Alabama

Describe your artistic style.
Natural and vintage with a modern twist.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Nature is a great inspiration. And I love the way the Victorian era used flowers and very feminine designs.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Crystal and shells. I love finding old vintage jewelry and incorporating the beads or chains in my jewelry.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
Stars of Heaven

What inspired this design?
The night sky when there's no moon or other lights.

How did it come together?
It really started with an idea but it grew as I began working on it and yes it defined itself in the end.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I started when I was about 10 and my mother tried to teach me to crochet. Simply put, I hated it. But she had some beads and thread and I decided I would try beading. I've been making jewelry ever since.

Who introduced you to beading?
My mom.

Do you have an artistic background?
I've always been artistic. And my mom taught me the basics, but over the years I've learned to make my works using my own style.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
I purchased a beading magazine and saw an ad to request the catalog.

What other hobbies do you have?
I draw and I write.

Do you belong to any beading societies or beading groups?
I'm working on finding one. Where I live jewelry making isn't very big.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
It's helped me find my style and gives me confidence. I'm trying to make it my career by selling my work and I have a beginner class in the works.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
I am currently selling on Etsy. Visit my website at www.kaleidajewel.etsy.com.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
I've worked for nearly 10 years to be where I am, and it was not without challenges. The biggest one for me was doubting my own talent. Don't ever doubt yourself. If you like your own work, that confidence will radiate to others. If you don't they will know. If you can sell yourself in a confident light, people will love your work as much as you do.