SPOTLIGHT ON ... DESIGNER
July 2009

Our featured designer for this month is Pat Wigand

When my niece, Kristen asked me to be the featured artist in this catalogue, I was caught somewhere between flattery and feeling like 'what story do I have to tell that anyone might be interested in reading?'

My entrance into the 'wonderful,addictive,expensive world of beads' began about 6 years ago when a divorced colleague asked if I wanted to take a 'beading class'. I wasn't sure if she said 'beading' of 'beating', so more out of curiosity, I said 'Yes.' As it turned out, it was the former, not the latter, much to my artistic delight. When I thought about it, I have been artistic in different mediums most of my life: crocheting (now I use beads and wire), quilting, sewing, embroidery and cooking. Singing and dancing have been out of reach my entire life. I teach English so I get to be creative every day.

I'll get back to my first beading experience, which wasn't very productive in terms of me actually learning anything that I could replicate on my own. I was directed to "do this","do that", which made me feel a bit like a monkey but I did leave with a beautiful lariat - the cost of class plus, turquiose,coral and silver was about $250. That was not the place for me to learn anything about beading, but my interest was piqued to continue my pursuit of learning to bead ...

I did some research and found Beads 'n Stitches, Bellmore and Hicksville, NY, where I met MaryAnn Olson, owner and teacher with a ton of patience. This is where I really got hooked. MaryAnn and her amazingly patient and creative staff helped guided me through many classes, from tool challenged to being asked to make people's wedding jewelry. I was determined not to let the crimper get the better of me!

I use many mediums and will experiment with texture,color and "beading out of the box'' as they say. One of the greatest compliments I can hope for is for my daughter, Kellyn, to ask to wear something I made or choose a gift for one of her friends from my growing stock of beaded wonders. I sell my work at a couple of select fairs and house parties. I also do a couple of select fairs and fundraising where a portion of the sales are donated to a specific cause (Juvenile Diabetes, University of Scranton Dance Team, Relay for Life,etc).

Enjoy your quest for the "ultimate" beads and projects. To put a new spin on a Forest Gumpism "Life is like a box of beads-you never know what you may find."

Peace.