Pamela Olson Meet the Designer-Artist

Where do you live?

Guttenberg, Iowa

Describe your artistic style.

Unlike most people, I do not feel that I have one artistic style but many. I guess my favorite is glitz. I always love things that sparkle. But, I also like antique Victorian, nautical themes, natural things, and ethnic looks.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?

I find inspiration from many things--and I never know where it will be from next. I am inspired by nature, manmade designs, other decorative objects, and sometimes other jewelry.

What materials do you most enjoy working with?

My favorite is crystal but I also love pearls, shells, glass, metals, and natural stones.

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?

Heiress

What inspired this design?

I wanted to make a bridal necklace with a big ''WOW'' factor.

How did it come together?

First, I was looking for some metal pieces to make a substantial necklace. When I found the right pieces, I put them together and hung crystal AB beads from them. Then, I decided it needed more pizzazz--so I added the baroque-cut pendants.

When and how did you begin making jewelry/beading?

My first experience with making jewelry was by casting jewelry in high school. In 1990, I started hand-painting jewelry for a small company and did that for a couple of years. In 1992, I started making jewelry on my own.

Who introduced you to beading?

In 1992, I met a friend whose family owned a jewelry store in New York City. She also worked for a jewelry wholesaler. She taught me how to make loops with headpins and how to string beads including stringing pearls.

Do you have an artistic background?

I knew when I was in first grade and learned how to draw animals that I wanted to be an artist. Since then, I was in many specialized art classes though grade school, high school and into college. Art is just something that is ''in'' me and I have to create. I have done many other types of art including painting, flower arranging, ceramics, and stained-glass.

How did you discover Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®?

I believe I found Fire Mountain on the back of a jewelry magazine in the 1990s. I've been ordering from Fire Mountain Gems since their whole catalog was the size of their monthly supplemental.

What other hobbies do you have?

I currently do some painting and flower arranging. I am always making something!

What role does jewelry-making play in your life?

Since I have fibromyalgia, I have taken up jewelry-making as a part-time career. I find it good therapy because it makes me so happy. I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I finish a piece of jewelry and feel delight when I see someone wearing one of my pieces of art. Knowing that I can bring beauty to others' lives is so enriching.

If you use jewelry-making as a way to bring in income, how are your selling yourself and your jewelry?

I sell my jewelry locally and also have an Etsy store.

Do you participate in any charity fundraisers?

I have in my local area.

Any advice for aspiring jewelry-artists?

If you do what you love, it doesn't really feel like work.