Designer Spotlight: Barbara Branson
A brief story of what you do and why you do it.
As a young girl, I love the gypsy look of lots of jewelry and not just in gold, but in silver, brass, and copper and I love making things so I took a jewelry class in college along with my other art classes and learned to work with all kinds of metal. I learned lost wax casting, forging, fabrication, and lots of other techniques also. I love making jewelry and creating things and the puzzles it presents. Now that I am home all the time again and it fills the empty nests.
How did you get into jewelry design?
I learned jewelry making from my mentor and friend Sonya Haynie, a top notch jeweler here in my city. In lost wax casting you have to design the pieces in wax first and then it progressed to fusing, forging, fabrication, fold forming and how to take a antique or vintage belt buckle and turn it into a a piece of jewelry.
What makes your collection unique?
My jewelry is unique because it is one of a kind. I can try to make another piece but it is never just the same, so I don't do to much of making another piece just like the one already made. My jewelry is the fun jewelry for the modern woman from 8 to 80+ that wants to get her jewelry noticed.
What are your inspirations?
I am inspired by life and the beauty of it. The beauty of the world around us, the love of my child, my grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Emotions, good or bad. The love of the Almighty for each of us and the blessing he has given me in this life.
How are you making a difference in your life?
By staying active in my life and enjoying almost every moment possible. I am enjoying the moment a new idea comes into my head for another piece jewelry and the desire to start it. I am not just sitting down to wait for something to happen, I am trying to meet it at the door with the door wide open.
What's something unusual about you that makes you “you”?
I don't think there is anything unusual about me that makes me, ME. What you see is what you get.
What's the biggest struggle in running your jewelry business like a business?
I don't want to go to a work place and I am just starting with the Handmade Artist Venue. I hesitated with the Etsy Venue, as I felt it was over extended. I use to do Craft Shows, and Fairs, but now it is difficult to do these alone because I am a widow and my child is grown and has other responsibilities.
About Barbara
I am a retired professional homemaker,and a retired teacher. I live in West Texas 1/2 between El Paso, and Dallas. I have 3 dogs, Alfalfa, a Papillion, Buckwheat a Scrufalu, and Rainy a daschund.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/barbara.branson.3?sk=photos
Twitter: www.flickr.com/photos/06031963
Other: www.ladyfaithjewelry.blogspot.com
