Saturday, February 5, 2011
Kathy St Martin--Facets of Jewelry--Bio
Let me tell you just a little about myself. I have been is soooo many areas in the jewelry industry since back there in the early 1980's were I got my 1st exposure to the diamond world working as a bookkeeper/basic bench repair person for a chain of "Diamond Mine" stores which is still based in eastern PA. I worked in the MA/CT stores.
Getting thrown in the back room of the store to polish and finish engagement rings and wedding bands, I obviously got good at polishing. Spot soldering came next, followed by sizing rings and grading diamonds.
My first husband was the a fine setter and we soon opened our own repair business in CT from 1983-1995 owning 2 stores and working very hard.
Times got tough and the economy in CT bottomed out around 1993. Business around us closed in the strip mall that we had our store, thus causing us to close because there was no traffic. This hurt my marriage among other things and I found myself single with 2 girls going back to school.
In 1998 I left CT to take an internship in Central PA in my major. I opted to not continue the 2nd half of it to work as a single mother, I apprenticed for master goldsmith John Mason (deceased) who in turn sent me over to National Jewelry Designer Sharon Teaman. It was Sharon who worked with me to focus many of my jewelry skills. I thank her often for her teaching abilities.
In Oct. 1999, I opened Isabelle's Bead Shop in State College, PA right at PSU's main campus. At that time there were only 4 bead shops in the state of PA.
I had a wire wrapping instructor--Once in my shop and realized how much more I knew of this skill. It was then I began teaching jewelry making. And it was then I began my addiction to finding out the "How-it-works" mindset and how to execute it so others can learn efficiently.
Many of my students wanted to evolve and a natural path was for me to get certified through Rio Grande's Rio Rewards as well as PMC Connection's Level II--metal clay certifications. This was in 2003 and I have used the metal clays to introduce many to several levels of jewelry design/art and her world.
I now teach at major jewelry shows and locally in the Phoenixville area--Potomac Bead Co. at this time.
My techniques are basic through innovative combining mix media when I can.
My latest efforts involve using my newly designed Unfired PMC Channel Cells in both my personal work as well as in the classroom.
I am a member of the Greater Philidelphia Metal Clay Guild and PA Craftsmen.
This BLOG is for you as much as it is for my own learning paths.
Feel free to drop me a line or ask questions. I love seeking efficient understandable answers.
Sendin' Blessins' to ALL!!
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