I am so pleased to introduce aquabeet! She is, by far, one of the most talented and kind people I have been aquainted with. Her creativity is evident in every piece she makes! Enjoy this short interview.
Tell us about yourself and your work. 
I have been an artist all of my life. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t. I pretty much always have a plan for making several things in my head at once. For years I worked as a graphic designer, setting type, designing logos and such. I used to make and sell papier-mache pieces & handmade greeting cards before I started with metals.
I still make quilts & paint furniture when not working. I’ve been selling on Etsy since March 2008, which has been great. I think that I have the most fun job in the world!
How did you start your artistic journey?
My path to working with metal came when my kids got old enough to not be so dependent on me. I had time to pursue my interests again and started researching metals & jewelry. I took the plunge and ordered basic supplies and never looked back. That was 7 years ago.
Have you had formal training, or are you completely self-taught?
I did attend 2 different art school years ago, but I am completely self-taught in all of the media that I now work in. Libraries, overstock.com, Barnes & Noble and youtube are great tutors that are always available!
Are there any charities that you support with your art?
I donate artwork that I’ve made to local charities when they hold raffles. I did it a lot when my kids were still in school. Most recently, I made and donated a bracelet for a raffle for a party celebrating the change in the law that keeps child murderers behind bars with no chance of parole. I worked with the organizer to come up with the right saying for the piece. Right now I am knitting a couple scarves for Special Olympics, just as I did last year.
Do you have a favorite piece or collection of work?
That would have to be my cuff bracelets simple because when I started doing them, they were really unique. They were the first thing that I started making in sterling silver. And my skinny bracelets are totally my own inspriation. As I am a graphic designer, I take great care to place the type on the cuff so it looks great & flows well.
What direction do you plan to take your work ? 
I opened my
2nd Etsy shop a month ago and have had 6 sales so far! This shop offers my new copper mirrors/accent pieces for the home. They are made from pieces of copper that are riveted/bolted together with other surprises!
In general I’d like all my pieces to start looking a little more freeform, rustic. I have some ACEOs planned, also made with copper. My logo/image needs a makeover, I need to get to that soon.
Has your work been published?
My various submissions to Lark Books have been rejected, so far. But I will definitely try again. I was contacted by TIME Magazine last year to ask if I’d give permission to let them use this photo in the end of the year issue. I of course agreed, but it didn’t make it into the issue. What’s that saying?….it’s great just to be nominated?!
Where can our readers find your work?
http://aquabeet.etsy.com
http://Copperista.etsy.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aquabeet
www.aquabeet.blogspot.com – My sad abandoned blog that I stopped updating because I got so much more love from Flickr, Facebook & Etsy. But it’s still there!
www.aquabeet.com – This was my original also neglected, never updated site. My younger son made if for me when he was about 16. Occasionally buyers find me there & place an order, but I’d much rather get orders through Etsy. I keep the site up because it was so fun to work on it with him & I still think it’s pretty cool!
