SPOTLIGHT ON ... DESIGNER
June 2009

Our featured designer for this month is Carla Vaughn-Mead

Hi - my name is Carla Vaughn-Mead. I currently live in Alpine, part of the White Mountains of Arizona. I love where I am and appreciate small town living - after 8 years in Central Phoenix! I work with my Husband Mark, a fine jeweler for over 35 years. I have two sterling jewelry lines of my own (one on our website - one that just goes to shows) and collaborate with Mark on many of his 14 & 18k gold one of a kind jewelry creations. Of course, can't forget Sam our fuzzy mutt who reminds us when it's time to take a break from work!

When I was little and adults would ask me what I'd like to be when I grew up I'd say "I want to be my own boss." (It took 34 years but I'm finally there!) All through my childhood and teen years I loved to draw and paint which eventually led to me getting my BFA at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. My major was printmaking - I loved etching! You created your original drawing then you could print multiples - making them as similar or different as you wanted. I think it hooked me on the concept of manufacturing and how multiples can still be creative and fun - and how each one you create gets better.

After College I was fortunate to be a summer studio assistant for two years at Peters Valley Craft Center in NJ. I worked for my room and board and got to meet so many amazing national fine craft artists - and learned a lot! (They have short intensive 2-5 day classes.) The first year I was a Fiber assistant the second Fine Metals - and that's where I fell in love with jewelry making. I also found out I needed to live as close to nature as possible to be happy.

I then worked for a very successful artisan couple – he was a potter and she created a line of jewelry, belts and handbags. I was her right hand – managing the office, helping with porcelain casting production and traveling to trade shows. We’d take Boutique orders up to 6 months in advance of delivery. Even though there were three of us working with Nina out of her home studio she always had a part in every creation and I respected that. I also helped her develop a couple of costume metal jewelry lines and screen printed on leather with her (my printing making background being used.)

During that time I met Mark who was working as the jeweler for an eclectic gift store in Chester, NJ. One year later I moved back to AZ with him. We both worked for other companies until June 2006 when we started our own company and moved to the mountains. So here we are... I'm itching to create new one of a kind pieces out of PMC and enamel and can't wait until we can collaborate on more one of a kind gold beaded creations - where he makes an elaborate pendant that I can bead.

One jewelry line you can see on our website is my Sonora Star Jewelry. I created the originals out of PMC. It's great being married to a jeweler because he rubber molded all my charms - so I can cast them in sterling silver. After they're cast they are filed, sanded, tumbled, bezels soldered on, patina applied, stones set, some patina removed then sealed with Renaissance Wax I then make my headpins and the beading begins! When finished they are SS, freshwater pearls, and semi-precious stones.

If you'd like to see my jewelry online please visit Black Mountain Jewelry Co. We also travel to shows and would love to meet you if you're in the area - please see our Show Schedule page.

Thank you for reading a little bit about my life as an artist.