From Wooden Beads & Wire to Luxurious Jewelry Styles
When I was 14 years old, I enjoyed the idea of creating jewelry using my dads old tools and a collection of wire and old wood beads. When others asked me to make them jewelry pieces, I was hooked. This hobby was set aside while I pursued college, a family and career in accounting but upon retirement, I opened a handcrafted gift store and for the next 10 years dabbled in various arts including playing with epoxy and polymer clays. After attending the Tucson, AZ Gem and Mineral show, I became hooked once again, discovered a 'snap' base used in another form, where my creativity kicked in full force imagining what can be done with all the products available.
Jazz Snap Designs began as a unique and interchangeable line of 'snap' style jewelry. Years spent dabbling in arts and craft, learning about tools, techniques, and taking classes from instructors and artists of numerous media styles around the world, finally came to rest on the medium of choice - jewelry. The Jazz Snap line of snaps and bases provides the freedom to create using various design techniques. Amazingly, this is where Diane Goetz's (shop owner) art career interest began, in her teenage years. Relative business ventures include a local handmade gift shop, establishing art/craft fairs, and conducting workshops to audiences large and small.
Artistic Process:
Jewelry lines -
1-Interchangeable 'snap' style jewelry. Using epoxy clay, polymer clay or resins, I design individual 'snaps' using a variety of materials (crystals, gemstones, charms or found objects). I often reuse old jewelry putting charms in snaps and using components in the design of bracelets, etc. Bracelets, necklaces, etc. become jewelry bases on which to wear my snaps. These are created from various jewelry materials including leather, wire work/solder, chains and any old jewelry pieces that I can change the look of and modify to add a snap base.
2-Gemstone jewelry. Each piece is designed from gemstones, leathers, chains, and using wire wrap techniques. I use ss components, some are wire formed by me whenever possible (jump rings, chandelier pieces, etc.)
My creations with epoxy clay and findings extend to fun objects including embellished found figurines, mirrors, rocks, etc. changing their look and function.
