Introducing Design Carolinas’ new Artist Spotlight series, featuring Q&A with some of the Carolinas’ most talented and innovative artists and designers.
I am excited to introduce jewelry designer Ellen Goldman of Fort Mill SC, as the first in Design Carolinas’ new Artist Spotlight series. Ellen’s beaded jewelry first came to my attention through her Etsy shop, TheStudioElle. I was immediately wowed by her intricately woven bangle bracelets and cuffs, and her sophisticated use of semi-precious gemstones. Ellen kindly answered my questions, so that I may share her story and works with you today.
Ellen Goldman, jewelry designer.
Tamara: Ellen, you are a bead “weaver”. What is bead weaving exactly?
Ellen: Bead weaving uses tiny seed beads and string to create decorative works of wearable art, such as bracelets, necklaces and even belts.There are two methods of bead weaving. One method uses a loom while the other method, commonly known as off-loom weaving, is created with a needle or by hand.
Woven fringed “Colorful Chaos Cuff” by Ellen Goldman
Tamara: How did you get interested in bead weaving initially, and how did you learn the craft?
Ellen: My interest in bead weaving was almost accidental. Life doesn’t always deal you the best of hands,and a couple of years ago I went through a turbulent time. My Mom was diagnosed with cancer, I was laid off from my job, and my best friend Rocky,my English Bulldog suddenly passed away. With all this, my mom was begging me to quit smoking. I needed a way to escape the darkness and anxiety that was gripping me and pulling me under. I just so happened to see a book on a shelf on bead weaving, and I became a human sponge.
Tamara: I noticed you use a lot of natural and semi-precious stone beads in your work. What draws you to those materials?
Ellen: AHHHH! I just love what mother nature provides us. I find semi-precious stones to be more precious than even diamonds. I love the colors and the natural beauty of them.
Woven beaded “Bubble Bangle” bracelet by Ellen Goldman
Tamara: How much time does it take to make a “typical”piece, e.g., a woven bracelet?
Ellen: Hmmm, that question seems like it would be simple to answer, but it’s not. But if you really want to pin me down, I would say 2-3 days. It all depends on bead size, embellishments, and my imagination. But a wide bead embroidered cuff can take at least a week to complete.
Tamara: How has your craft evolved since you started?
Ellen: Well, now that I’m moving it from just being my hobby, my craft, into a small business, I’ve been learning the art of Twitter. Yes I call Twitter an art; you just don’t tweet your heart out. You have to be creative so your tweets get read and you get followed. To sum it up, I had to get involved with a lot of social media outlets.
“Autumn Jewels” beaded ball necklace by Ellen Goldman
Tamara: What’s next for your beadwork?
Ellen: Oh, well everything! I was just notified by an editor of an on-line fashion magazine that I will be featured in a 2-page spread in March. I was also featured a couple of days ago in TheJewelryObserver.com as an emerging artist and my Etsy shop was featured as a shop to watch. So, I’m happy to say, all my hard work is just now starting to pay off. It’s so exciting!
Tamara: What is your favorite piece you’ve created?
Ellen: LOL, it changes from day to day. But one of my favorite pieces is a cuff called “MySerenity”. And yes, after each piece is completed, I name each one. My Serenity cuff actually started off as a ring. But before I was about to weave the band, I just felt this piece needed to become a cuff and well, that’s how this piece was created. This piece was so deserving of an additional tagline that its full name is MySerenityCuff…WillGet Your Heart Beating!
“My Serenity” woven beaded cuff by Ellen Goldman
Tamara: Your story is so inspiring! I really appreciate your taking the time to share it with us here at Design Carolinas. Anything else you’d like to add?
Ellen: I absolutely love what I do. I Iove being creative. Mixing colors and textures and weaving techniques with no rules and no boundaries, and in the end making one-of-a-kind beaded jewelry that really expresses a feeling and a mood. But the best part of what I do is being able to see my clients’ faces light up when they meet the piece they are meant to own. It’s such a thrill for me and my clients!
See more of Ellen’s work at her Etsy shop, TheStudioElle. All photos in this post courtesy of Ellen Goldman.