Handmade jewelry is still on the rise as an art form; what better time than the holidays to showcase more talent? This week we got the chance to interview up and coming jewelry artist Fred “Mad Beader” Morina from Fred’s Phat Jewelry about his style, his nick name “Mad Beader,” and his inspirations.
Raven and Lenore Blog (RnL): How long have you been creating jewelry?
Fred Morina (FM): I began making beaded jewelry about 5 years ago. I started because my daughter wanted to make jewelry, so we bought everything for Christmas and by Valentine’s Day she was done. I on the other hand had a new
hobby.
RnL: Why did you choose jewelry over other art forms?
FM: I chose jewelry because after spending nearly two decades working in the custom hot rod and chopper industry. I easily fell in love with making jewelry, each piece can be one off (unique) just like the vehicles I worked on, so it gives me that outlet I need for my creative juices.
RnL: What is your favorite part about making jewelry?
FM: My favorite part of making jewelry is quite honestly that smile I receive when I give the piece to its proper owner and now that I offer my jewelry worldwide, I love it when the clients leave feedback letting me know how much they love the
piece. It gives me my own little high.
RnL: Is there anyone who has inspired your work?
FM: I'm inspired by a few things, nature, color patterns I see, and other artist not just jewelry artist. I get struck with inspiration at the oddest times. I may be surfing art sites like Deviant Art looking at photos and see a picture with an awesome color combo or be generally impressed with the art. That in turn gets my gears working and all of a sudden I've got beads in my hand.
RnL: What are your favorite things to work with out of your supplies?
FM: I love, love, love vintage pieces. I often find myself at yard and estate sales buying 30 year old pendants and beaded jewelry which I like taking apart and using the vintage beads in making something brand new ready to begin an extended life in a new form. I don't use acrylics or plastic beads; I tend to use mainly glass beads and semi precious stone beads. I'm currently working on wire wrapping more, that inspiration falls on Zili-is-Anielle [from deviantart.com] after seeing her piece “Gamer Girl” which was a beautifully wrapped die that she had not drilled, it told me that with enough creativity and patience wire wrapping can be an art form unto itself.
RnL: Do you wish to imitate a certain kind of style?
FM: I am driven by not imitating the run of the mill jewelry. I make each piece as unique as I can. I strive to make wearable art pieces. Everyone is one of a kind and I want anyone wearing my jewelry to know that that piece is unique just like they
are.
RnL: Finally, how did you come by the nick name “Mad Beader?”
FM: A friend of mine said I do what I please with the beads, and pointed out that I'm always wearing my hat and have tea nearby. It was kind of a play on the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.
Raven and Lenore Blog (RnL): How long have you been creating jewelry?
Fred Morina (FM): I began making beaded jewelry about 5 years ago. I started because my daughter wanted to make jewelry, so we bought everything for Christmas and by Valentine’s Day she was done. I on the other hand had a new
hobby.
RnL: Why did you choose jewelry over other art forms?
FM: I chose jewelry because after spending nearly two decades working in the custom hot rod and chopper industry. I easily fell in love with making jewelry, each piece can be one off (unique) just like the vehicles I worked on, so it gives me that outlet I need for my creative juices.
RnL: What is your favorite part about making jewelry?
FM: My favorite part of making jewelry is quite honestly that smile I receive when I give the piece to its proper owner and now that I offer my jewelry worldwide, I love it when the clients leave feedback letting me know how much they love the
piece. It gives me my own little high.
RnL: Is there anyone who has inspired your work?
FM: I'm inspired by a few things, nature, color patterns I see, and other artist not just jewelry artist. I get struck with inspiration at the oddest times. I may be surfing art sites like Deviant Art looking at photos and see a picture with an awesome color combo or be generally impressed with the art. That in turn gets my gears working and all of a sudden I've got beads in my hand.
RnL: What are your favorite things to work with out of your supplies?
FM: I love, love, love vintage pieces. I often find myself at yard and estate sales buying 30 year old pendants and beaded jewelry which I like taking apart and using the vintage beads in making something brand new ready to begin an extended life in a new form. I don't use acrylics or plastic beads; I tend to use mainly glass beads and semi precious stone beads. I'm currently working on wire wrapping more, that inspiration falls on Zili-is-Anielle [from deviantart.com] after seeing her piece “Gamer Girl” which was a beautifully wrapped die that she had not drilled, it told me that with enough creativity and patience wire wrapping can be an art form unto itself.
RnL: Do you wish to imitate a certain kind of style?
FM: I am driven by not imitating the run of the mill jewelry. I make each piece as unique as I can. I strive to make wearable art pieces. Everyone is one of a kind and I want anyone wearing my jewelry to know that that piece is unique just like they
are.
RnL: Finally, how did you come by the nick name “Mad Beader?”
FM: A friend of mine said I do what I please with the beads, and pointed out that I'm always wearing my hat and have tea nearby. It was kind of a play on the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.