I love that my daughter, Miranda encouraged me to do this and is helping me with it. She introduced me to Etsy, its a fun way to shop and there is so much to look at! It’s also a great way to spend time with her even though we live so far apart!
Patti Bell
Random Facts About You?I have two granddaughters that are 2 months apart.
I love to eat dessert for breakfast
I have 3 children in three different states: Hawaii, California and Texas
Love to travel, my favorite spots are Europe and anything with a beach!
What got you started crafting?
A friend of mine had breast cancer and she made jewelry, I started going to the bead shows with her and making jewelry with her. When I saw someone making the handmade lampwork beads and saw the origionality and work that went into something like that, I just thought of them as art and started buying them from the artist. At first I just made them as gifts for friends, my daughter and myself, but really enjoyed it, so a hobby out of control was born. Glad to say my friend is now cancer free 8 years now!
What is your source of inspiration?
Everything is my source of inspiration! From the weather outside to my fluffy fat cats and more recently my two beautiful grand daughters!
What have you made recently?
One of my all time favorite pieces is a purple spiney oyster and sterling silver necklace, earrings and bracelet. I was in Sante Fe and there was a beautiful necklace in the window of a shop, it wasn't open yet but i went back later to purchase it. To my surprise it was 1,400.00. Needless to say, that canceled that sale. A friend of ours, Winston (a great artist who carves turquoise and stones) took us to Southwest Silver and they had only 2 strands of the spiney oyster at the show they also had some beautiful nailhead sterling pieces, handmade. So I bought that, even though it was quite expensive and I made myself a set that is bigger spiney oyster, more sterling silver, and one that I like a lot better and it gives me satisfaction to have made it myself. I consider it therapy.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
My first show was Childrens Miracle Network and at hospitals where you donate part of your sells to charity . Now because of health reasons I usually do just one show and that is the Missouri State Medical Association Alliance that benefits a scholarship progam for medical students. My daughter, Miranda has graciously offered to help me with Etsy so that I have a venue for my jewelry. I love to work with the sterling silver and lampwork and natural stones so usually get ideas from the colors and flow of the beads.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
When something is handmade, its unique, your not going to see it mass produced. I love the fact that the handmade lampwork is made in the USA by artists who love what they do. The sterling silver and art beads are going to last over time. Also the quality of handmade appeals to me, love the quaint shops that offer handmade items, so Etsy is the perfect choice for me! There is such variety and so much fun to look at all kinds of things!
Find Me
LocationMissouri
Email Address
Patti Bell
Personal Website
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bellagifts4u?ref=si_shop
Store Website
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bellagifts4u?ref=si_shop
twenty20
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bellagifts4u?ref=si_shop