Birdsong Designs

Jen Bonoma, the talent behind Birdsong Designs, is another brand new Artist Market vendor. And I for one am excited to see her work in person. Here's a preview of what you'll see at the April 13th market and a little about Jen:

Ever since I was a young girl, I have been fascinated with jewelry and the endless possibilities for creation. I found it easy to express myself through jewelry design as creating comes naturally to me. Craft became skill, skill became art, and jewelry became my passion.

In 2006, I graduated from the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California with certificates as a graduate gemologist (G.G.), graduate jeweler (G.J.), and accredited jewelry professional (A.J.P.). I continued to broaden my education by working at various jewelry stores and doing custom beading work for clients met through family and friends. Through this work, I discovered my passion for beaded jewelry and Precious Metal Clay (PMC).

These beginnings have nurtured a respect for technique that fuels my creative process. It is the process of creating, especially with PMC, which fascinates me. Precious Metal Clay can be worked and molded just like natural clay, but when it is heated in a kiln, the organic metal binders disappear leaving behind 98% metal. This process enables me to mold or shape the metal in any design that I desire.

In late 2009, after visiting friends, I decided to move back east to Charleston, South Carolina. I quickly fell in love with and became inspired by the natural beauty of Charleston. It is here that Bird Song Design was created.