SPOTLIGHT ON ... DESIGNER
July 2007
Our featured designer for this month is Madalynne Homme Million
Growing up in Hayward, California, I would lock myself in my bedroom for hours creating anything from Barbie doll clothes to drawing pictures of my dog. I would drive my teachers' nuts by asking if we were going to have art today. At age twelve I started sewing my own clothes and had dreams of becoming a fashion designer.
At age fourteen my family moved to Enterprise, Oregon. I was happy about the move, but disappointed because there were no art classes. I would express my artistic talent through football posters and watercolor paintings.
Later in life, after getting married, having five kids, and moving to Kennewick, Washington, I made Friendly Plastic jewelry and wearable art, which I sold at local art shows. I also taught classes at local art stores and schools, making Friendly Plastic jewelry and tee-shirt painting.
In 2003 I discovered beading and wire wrapping, and was so enthralled I wanted to learn as much as I could as quick as possible. I bought books, magazines and searched the web for tutorials. As my skills developed, I started selling my jewelry, which in turn went for more beads, wire and tools.
My inspiration comes from nature. I adore flowers and all the different colors. I am on a flower kick right at the moment. I like to combine wire wrapping techniques and stringing. Chalcedony, Freshwater Pearls and Shells are my favorite ingredients in designing necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
I absolutely love Soft Flex wire. I had been using a competitors wire and my Bead Representative asked me if I had ever tried Soft Flex wire? She told me that there is no comparison, so I bought three spools. I am hooked! It's the nicest wire I have ever used, and refuse to use anything else.
