Spotlight: Fredbean's Nook

Even though I'm blogging less right now due to my current family situation, I really wanted to keep my Spotlight series alive. So instead of featuring a new every artist week, I'll have a new one every month for you. My goal is to post it on the first Monday, but I should always have it up sometime during the first full week and the giveaway will run for two weeks before I draw the winner. Alright, enough details, let's get to the first Spotlight of this new year!

She's a wife and mother of two, a student, a runner, a volunteer, a traveler and very proud to be a jewelry designer. Her name is Emma and her shop is Fredbean's Nook. I have a great admiration for her work because even though I'm a jewelry designer myself, I rarely have the patience to work with those beautiful little seed beads (even though I think they are so gorgeous!). Emma did such a fantastic job of describing herself that I'll let her take it from here…

Tell us a bit about you and what you create
Stepping into a local bead store many years ago, I found rows of seedbeads housed in their little tubes... such a collection of stunning color all in one spot. My creative spirit was captivated and I knew I wanted to be a part of this world. So, I attended classes, I read stacks of bead books and spent many an evening, after the kiddies had drifted off to sleep, perfecting my beading techniques. I fell completely in love with jewelry making. And with that, Fredbean's Nook was born.

Much of my inspiration comes from the home I make here on picturesque Aquidneck Island with my husband and children. Surrounded by the sea and nature, I find myself drawn to colors that remind me of where the ocean meets the land. I create all my designs from a little nook in my home, a quaint and quiet space that's filled with art, light and family photos.

I work hard to create jewelry that truly feels like a reflection of myself. Each bead and component has been carefully hand-selected before finding its place in one of my designs. Combining my love of wire and seedbeads, I feel that I've been able to create wearable pieces of art. And every time I send a piece out into the world, I get giddy, elated by the fact that there are others out there who treasure what I create.

Where are you from originally and where do you currently call home?
Born and raised in a quaint English seaside town called Budleigh Salterton, my childhood was perfect in every way. Surrounded by fields, country lanes and a hop, skip and a jump from the ocean, just magical. Even now, as an adult, I’m never far from putting on my wellies and trudging through the countryside for a brisk walk. I now call Portsmouth, RI my home with my husband, two children, 1 dog, 2 cats and a hamster named Poppy.

How long have you been selling your creations?
My husband is in the military and our recent move brought us to RI just over 18 months ago. Before RI, we lived in Sicily for 3 years, which is where Fredbean’s Nook really started. I gradually started selling my pieces to other military wives and before I knew it, people were placing custom orders.

Do you sell on your work full time or do you have a day job?
After being a “stay at home mum” for the last 13 years, I find I’m able to spend more and more time on Fredbean’s Nook these days and hope this little business of mine will eventually grow into a full time occupation.

What, if any, formal training have you had in the arts?
No formal training, just many years of being involved with different crafts, although once I found beading, I’ve never looked back. My bead stitching and wirework skills are a combination of being self taught, bead classes and lots of trial and error.

Do you sell anywhere besides Etsy?
Although Etsy is my only online shop, I do attend a variety of local shows throughout the year and still organize “Open House” parties occasionally.

How did you come up with your shop name?
Fredbean is the childhood nickname given to me by my father. He is deceased, and I chose this name because it gives me the strength, courage and determination to succeed. He gave me this name, this foundation, and Fredbean’s Nook is the culmination of my dreams.

What inspires you?
Much of my inspiration comes from the home I make here on picuresque Aquidneck Islandwith my husband and children. I am surrounded by the sea and nature. I create jewelry that I like to wear, so looking at my own style of clothes is another source of inspiration.

What do you like least about your craft?
Without a doubt, it has to be the paperwork. Nothing more needs to be said on the matter :0)

Do you have any advice for other artists who are thinking about pursuing their craft as a career?
Make a plan, take courage, believe in yourself and go for it. There may be times when sales are slow, or you lack confidence, but take these times to work on your craft, perfect those naughty little techniques that have been giving you trouble and push for an even higher standard... your hard work and persistance WILL pay off :0)

Five Etsy Shops you love
Good heavens, this one is a toughy...
TheNebulousKingdom
thelittlereddoor
LittlePinkHouse
humblebea
lorelei1141

Where is the coolest place you have ever been?
Green Island, a national park located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia. In my early twenties, I had the opportunity to spend an entire year in Australia and I remember sitting in the sand, on this beautiful island, looking out to sea and feeling complete peace with my “adult” self... serenity

Share some of your guilty pleasures
Chocolate and staying in my pyjamas all day

Favorite junk food
Five Guys Burgers and Cadbury’s Cream Eggs... just can’t resist them

If you could trade places with any other person for a week with whom would it be?
Elaine Benes... could you imagine spending time with Seinfeld, George and Cosmo Kramer

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the
lead role as you?
Without hesitation, it would have to be Cate Blanchett... love her

What would you like to learn?
Sign language.

What does the future hold for you and your creative endeavors?
Fredbean’s Nook has come along way in the past year and I will continue to be true to myself and design creations that are a reflection of me. My dream is for people to be able to spot, and recognize a Fredbean’s Nook creation from across the room. Basically, I hope to still be found in my little nook, doing what I love to do... makin’ jewelry because this IS “where seedbeads bloom” :0)

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Emma is offering one winner a pair of classic hoop earrings in their choice of color.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:
Please leave a comment on this post with your favorite item from Fredbean's Nook along with what you'd like to see more of in the shop.

You may enter once per day and YOU MUST INCLUDE your first name -AND- etsy username or email address with every entry. (If you are worried about email spam, you can spell out the 'at' and 'dot' rather than using the standard email format.)

Receive additional entries (one each) if you:

Follow or subscribe to this blog, my Twitter or my Facebook

Follow or subscribe to Emma's blog or Facebook

(You DO NOT need to leave separate comments for additional entries, just list which apply)

You have until Sunday, February 20 at 10 pm (est) to enter and I will announce the winner Monday morning, February 21.

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SPECIAL DISCOUNT!

Looking for a sweet Valentines gift for someone special or maybe yourself? :)

Emma is offering 15% OFF all orders in her shop through next Sunday, February 13, when you enter coupon code SPOTLIGHT at checkout!

If you're wondering what to send me, I'd like this necklace, please and thank you.