STAFF

James Jones The most important thing to me about silver-smithing and lampwork beadmaking is creative expression.   Art! In silversmithing, I like to integrate different materials into a new coherent whole.  Sterling silver, gemstones, old glass, twisted wire, bronze, copper, beads.  I like to embellish most of my pieces in the Victorian way -- a 3-dimensional collage of "pieces at hand".  The coherency in my pieces is not that of "telling a story with symbols", but rather of juxtaposing textures and colors within an "emotional whole." I craft rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces and the like, and have custom-designed pieces for several country music stars.  I like doing custom-work (as opposed to speculative-work) best.  It's a challenge translating someone's particular needs and expectations into a successful and satisfying piece.   I have been lampwork bead making for the past two years.    This has become my primary passion.     I love creating glass beads which capture passion or whimsey, a kaleidescope of colors or the intensity of one color, the organic interplay of line and feathering or the explosion of dots.   I come from a very craft-oriented family.  From woodwork to country crafts, my parents and siblings did it all.  I originally worked with leather-craft, and had developed a successful business doing that.   I pursued another career for awhile, then picked up jewelry-making.  I began with bead-work and also making collage pins out of beads and jewelry findings.   I took some silver-smithing classes and some wire-wrapping classes.  I liked silver-smithing the best, though I still do some beadwork.  As I was able to acquire silver-smithing tools and supplies, I did.  My career as a silver-smith evolved. At first, I experimented with different techniques and materials.  Trial and error.   I looked at fashion magazines and Lapidary Journal for ideas.  After awhile, things become more intuitive.  And this allowed me to be more creative. My advice for others:  Just keep working at it.  Don't be afraid to try things, even if they don't work.  I have one blind spot -- functionality.  For example, I might begin making a beautiful, wonderful ring, but the size of the ring I initially select might be too small for the decorative top.  So I always bounce off my design ideas against others to make sure "form coordinates with function." I can be reached at my jewelry studio during the week. phone:  615-292-0610 email:  beadboyjames@aol.com address:   718 Thompson Lane, Ste 123                 Nashville, TN  37204