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| Megan, Dress by Megan |
We have a new designer here at Beadaholique! For months and months we searched for just the right person who was creative, crafty, enterprising, organized and, most of all, loved to bead! We needed someone who was not afraid to try new things, who delighted in tangled strands of awesomeness, and would want to wax eloquently about how to bead and what inspires them. We had honestly almost given up hope and then a delightful little polymer cupcake popped onto our computer screens. Intrigued, we dove further into the website and portfolio of Megan Patton and invited her in for a chat.
Megan is a joy to work with; her laughter and cheery spirit are infectious. Her designs are so very pretty and constantly have us saying "Wow, I would not have thought of that!" - which is exactly what you want in a designer. We are thrilled that Megan is part of our team and proud to introduce her here. Below is a series of questions we asked Megan so that you can get to know her better. Happy Reading!
Q. How did you get interested in beading/jewelry making?
A. I have always been crafty, and would receive craft supplies for presents quite often. One year for my birthday, my mom bought me an organizer full of beads and jewelry making supplies. I was hooked! I was in high school at the time, and I remember that all of my friends got beaded jewelry for their birthdays that year.
Q. What is your educational background in the arts?
A. I have a bachelor's degree in theatre and I also attended fashion school. Most of my education has been focused on visual, practical, and performing arts. But I have been an avid self-teacher my whole life. When I want to learn how to do something new, I learn what I can from books and tutorials, and I wing it!
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| Go Go Girl Costume by Megan |
Q. How would you describe your design aesthetic?
A. I love delicate, feminine, dainty, simple jewelry with beautiful details. I love vintage style and pops of color. I also go for quirky, fun designs that indulge my (not-so-inner) child.
Q. What inspires your creative process?
A. I love to look through the materials that are available to me to get inspiration. I see a particular component and start to imagine all the ways I could use it. I also tend to get some of my better ideas when I'm not trying to. I get struck with ideas when I'm falling asleep or doing everyday things. They're like little creative gifts from my subconscious.
Q. Who inspires you/your creative process?
A. My family is incredibly creative. My father is a graphic artist and musician, my mother is an artist and illustrator, my step-mother is an artist and cake-decorator, my sister used to dance professionally, and my brother is a musician. Frankly, they would probably have been disappointed if I had decided to be an accountant. Coming from a family like mine nurtured every creative impulse I had growing up and has inspired me to always follow my creative passions.
Q. Do you work best in chaos or an orderly workspace?
A. I tend to create clutter. I think it's just something that comes with being artistic. I try to battle the clutter as much as I can, because it makes it hard for me to focus. I'll usually leave things a bit messy, but then clean up before I start the next project, so that I have a fresh space to begin in.
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| Knitting Keychain |
Q. What are your current favorite materials to use for making jewelry?
A. I work a lot with polymer clay, making miniature cupcakes and other sweets. I think it's amazingly versatile. I also love seed beads, and intricate bead weaving.
Q. Is there a jewelry-making technique that you are currently intrigued by?
A. I've only dabbled in resin work, and I'm starting to experiment and play with what it can do. I love the idea of sculpting original components in clay, making a mold, and then casting them in resin.
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| Megan & Kris |
Q. Is there a jewelry-making technique that you haven’t tried yet but want to try/learn/use?
A. I haven't worked much with metal. I want to get more into wire wrapping and stamping.
Q. Are you or have you been actively involved in creating work in artistic media other than jewelry?
A. Yes! I have been sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidering since a very young age. I've done fashion design, theatrical costume and make up design, writing, acting, illustration, and even millinery.
Q. What is the favorite piece of jewelry or art that you own?
A. My favorite piece of jewelry is my engagement ring. It's absolutely gorgeous, and it means the world to me - just like the man who gave it to me.
Q. Who is your favorite jewelry designer/artist?
A. Faryn Davis. She does amazing things with resin! She does hand painted pieces and found object pieces that are just incredible. One of my other favorite pieces of jewelry is my Faryn Davis necklace. It was the first gift my fiance gave me.
Q. Are there other areas of your life that you feel are or have been enriched by your creation of jewelry?
A. Being creative makes me feel more myself. It enriches my entire life experience. It has also enables me to handcraft gifts for my loved-ones, which reminds them how much I care about them.
Q. Is there someplace people can see/purchase jewelry or artwork that you have made, other than Beadaholique.com?
A. I sell my cupcake jewelry on
PinkSugarBakery.com and a variety of jewelry, accessories, and apparel in my etsy shop:
MyCatHatesYou. I'm currently working on a new etsy shop,
MaeMaeMills. I'm really excited about some of the new directions that my work is going in, and I'm looking forward to getting it up and running. I also have a huge number of items on
CafePress and
Zazzle that sport my little pink cupcake illustration.
