Helene Zemer

Helene Zemer

Swirls
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Contest 2010
featuring Seed Beads
Finalist

Meet the Designer-Artist


Where do you live?
Santa Barbara, California

Describe your artistic style.
Create as I go, free-flowing.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Color! I love combining vivid color.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?
Glass, seed beads and wire.

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

What inspired this design?
I always have liked to put swirls in my art in some form. I made some swirls and arranged them in a form that felt right.

How did it come together?
I had a plan for the initial layout but, like most of my pieces, it changed as I worked into it. It just depends on how it all fits as I put it together to get a look I enjoy.

Share Your Background


When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?
I have been attracted to glass as a medium for many years. I have also found I flow from one aspect of art to another. Lately, using glass in jewelry has been my obsession.

Who introduced you to beading?
I think it was awakened in me when a friend brought a beautiful piece back with her from some travels. I loved the piece and knew I had to learn how to do that.

Do you have an artistic background?
I am not professionally trained, but I have always created art in one form or another since I was young. Drawing, weaving, glass, etc.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and BeadsĀ®?
Searching online for beads and I have been addicted since.

What other hobbies do you have?
Fused glass and wire-wrapping.

Beading Success


What role does jewelry-making play in your life?
I am overly observant of what jewelry people are wearing. I get ideas from other pieces I see. I have a project going at all times. I have a small coffee business that funds my obsession and it gives me an outlet to display my pieces.

If you used jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are you selling yourself and your jewelry?
My coffee cart is my primary means to display my pieces, but I also do an occasional craft fair.

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?
Montessori School.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?
Experiment--mistakes make beautiful pieces.