Today’s Artist Mini-Interview is wth my new friend Deryn Mentock. Deryn is an extremely talented mixed media artist and her work is outstanding, as you can tell by the teaser photo.
How did you start doing jewelry (or bead making) as a business?
I finally decided that I needed to find a way to pay for my passion! Much more than that though, I found a personal, spiritual voice, expressed through my jewelry. It’s important to me to share that.
Do you remember the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
Probably, the first piece of jewelry I ever attempted to make was a beaded headband, created on a beading loom when I was in Camp Fire girls. I think I got about one inch completed. Needless to say, that type of beading isn’t my thing! I also remember a lovely, colorful telephone wire ring made in CFG. I wish I had that ring today!
You are stuck on a desert island for a year and can only take 5 things to make jewelry with-what would you take?
Well, I’d have to have an endless supply of wire, of course. Also, pliers, nippers, a hammer and…sheesh, I can’t decide on the fifth thing…can I have a laptop with internet? One of my favorite tv shows is Gilligan’s Island so I know a lot about island survival. I could probably use a rock as a bench block, make beading thread from palm fibers and beads from rocks and shells then I’d…oh, do I have to be stuck on a desert island???
What would you like to work with/or what skill would you like to learn that you haven’t yet?
I’d like to learn lampwork bead making. That would open up a whole world of new supplies, equipment, tools…possibilities.
What do you do when you aren’t making jewelry?
I love creating collage, artist’s books and artist trading cards. But, when I’m not doing any of that, my favorite thing is camping with my guys.
All about Deryn:
Deryn Mentock has been passionate about art, especially jewelry design, for as long as she can remember. Her designs mingle unique, worn and well-loved finds, religious pieces and faceted, semi-precious stones as well as one-of-a-kind handmade elements, combined in unexpected ways. She prefers the look and feel of vintage, unusual and found objects and delights in blending these treasures into her work. Each composition, infused with color and texture, reveals an intuitive message of faith conveyed through the artist’s hands.
She enjoys teaching nationally and is a design team member for Susan Lenart Kazmer’s “Objects and Elements.” Her artwork has been featured in several books including “Mixed Emulsions” by Angela Cartwright, “Exhibition 36” by Susan Tuttle and, most recently, “Collaborative Art Journals and Shared Visions in Mixed Media” by LK Ludwig. You can also find her work in many articles and publications, including Step by Step Wire Jewelry, Belle Armoire Jewelry, Belle Armoire, Art Doll Quarterly, Stampington’s Gallery, Correspondence Art and Stampington’s book Artist Trading Cards.
You can see more of Deryn’s work at her blog; http://somethingsublime.typepad.com and her online store; http://mocknet.etsy.com. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Creative Souls.
Thank you so much Deryn for the interview!