Beverly McKenzie, Beverly's Jewelry, Little Rock, became a new Arkansas Craft Guild member while showing at the 45th Annual Christmas Showcase in Little Rock Dec. 1-3, 2023.
She writes: "I took jewelry classes at the Arkansas Art Center taught by Melissa Orsini. (also a Guild member and teacher for many of our members) I have been focused on making silver beads using precious metal clay and creating different sizes and textures."
"I then turn them into necklaces using colorful natural stone beads. My designs have evolved over time as there is no color in silver, and to remedy that lack of color I turned to stone setting using a mixture of metal clay and silversmithing techniques."
"My hope is my work will make you smile. When I was growing up we would drive to Shreveport to visit our grandparents. My grandmother would take me to the fabric and sewing store to buy me an embroidery kit. It was a pillowcase or hand towel with a design stamped on the fabric with appropriate colored thread to complete the design. I would spend hours using my finger and hands creating a gift to give someone. So from then on I have always made something with my hands - embroidery, crewel, clothes, quilting, sculpture and then pottery. I love clay and the wheel, but pottery became too hard on my body as I aged. So metal clay seemed like the answer."
"I have developed over the years working with our teacher Melissa Orsini and the other talented members of our jewelry class. I have devoted this last year to being at my jeweler's bench by 9:00 every morning to design and create jewelry that people can afford and enjoy."
Beverly plans to sell her jewelry at the Arkansas Craft Gallery soon.
See more of Beverly's Jewelry at her artist roster page here on the website.