The Connecticut Etsy Team Jewelry Spectacular is pretty darn close. This got me thinking about some of the talented artists that will be featured in the show, and how incredibly unique they are from one another. With only ten days to go until showtime, I thought it might be nice to visit with a few these artisans. Find out what makes 'em tick. Featured here is an interview with one of our show headliner's,, here is Patricia C. Vener of Silver Dragon.
What is your business name?
Who are you and what is your role in this business?
I use both my personal name, Patricia C Vener, and also DBA Silver Dragon Creations. I may change it in the not too distant future as I've been told it gives the impression that I work primarily in silver. Which I don't (See below).
What is your art or craft?
I am both a bead weaver and a painter. These may at first seem unrelated, but that would be an unfortunate assumption. Both media include color, form, and texture, as points of interest and experiment. As a beadweaver, however, I also get to experiment with various weaves and stitiches (and I have even invented a totally new stitch!). My pieces are all art pieces - they even look great framed and displayed on a wall! Each is one of a kind and expresses the individuality of both the wearer and the artist.
How do you create your items? Is there a process? If so, please explain as elaborately as possible.
Like many artists, I often get flashes of inspiration. Generally the inspiration is not fully formed - or if it is may lead to other paths of design - but just as often it is not.
Oddly enough I don't do much sketching but rather work out the designs to great detail in my head. Once I am happy with what I am seeing, I might do a very rough sketch or I might just start beading. It's not over yet! Once I start beading changes occur to me and to the work in progress! Despite all the mental planning I am very much a stream of consciousness artist. I will easily use several stitches in a single work to get what I want in the end.
Do you have a work space? Please describe.
Mostly I work either at a table in what I wryly refer to as my studio though it's really just a section of where I live or at the dining room table. Beads are easy to move about and don't actually require a space that's set aside for working. Storing them, on the other hand, does require dedicated space.
What inspires you?
Everyone asks this. It's really not that easy to answer because the short answer is "everything."
I think artists are in a perpetual state of inspiration - I know I am!
Where can people currently find your work?
At the moment, just a few galleries, my website, http://vener-art.com/ , my Etsy shop, http://SilverDragon.etsy.com/ , at the Jewelry Spectacular, of course, and in person through small at-home or in-office Trunk Shows, and I'd love to do wardrobe consultations
What has been your favorite piece you've ever made?
This is really hard to answer. I love every piece I make and while I do have favorites, these tend to vary. Perhaps my most favorite piece is "Tao," a complex piece presently in a private collection in Maryland. (Pictured below)
Where do you see your business 5 years from now?
I have been thinking about this a lot lately. I see my business not only supporting me but supporting me in style! I see myself having my work in very glamorous shops, galleries, museums and collections. I see myself being able to afford to have an accountant, pay taxes, give generously to my favorite charities, and take my mama on her dream vacation.
Whose work do you admire? Etsy or otherwise.
I adore the Impressionists! But also Alphonse Maria Mucha, Paul Berthon, Gustave Klimt, Georges Braque and many others from a wide variety of movements. As for jewelry and craft artists, there are so many whose work I adore that it is impossible to list them!
What new items can we look forward to seeing of yours?
More works using my Vener Chain stitch, more large dramatic pieces, but also some smaller, less flamboyant works for those days when subtlety is key. ;)
I am also adding precious stones to my mix of materials.