featured designer | Jamie Hogsett

Company Name: Antelope Beads

City & State: Fort Collins, Colorado

Q: Do you have a method or source you look to use for inspiring your designs?

A: I'm grateful to always have new ideas popping into my head. I'm inspired by new color palettes seen in nature, or by something I've seen in a magazine, or just about anything. Just having the time to play around in my bead room and sort beads into different combinations and possibilities is always inspiring too.

Q: How often do you work on your jewelry designs?

A: Since I started my sweet new job with Antelope Beads, I get to create new pieces nearly every day!

Q: How would you describe your design style or technique?

A: It depends on if I'm making jewelry for work or for play, but it usually it begins with a great focal bead, strand of gemstones, or set of handmade beads that catches my eye. I'll put it out on my bead mat and just start coordinating other beads and findings with it until I find something that just looks right.

Q: Do you work in any other mediums beside jewelry design?

A: Nope, it's all jewelry, all the time.

Q: What is your favorite stone to work with and why?

A: Easy, turquoise! I've always loved it. One of the first pieces of jewelry I ever received was a tiny silver bangle with turquoise cabochons when I was about three years old, and I'm pretty sure that's when I first fell in love with the stone.

Q: What is your favorite shape/ size to work with and why?

A: For the last few years, definitely smaller, back-to-basics shapes. Several years ago I was really into big and chunky, and every shape of bead imaginable. Now I've scaled down and use lots of rounds and rondelles, generally ranging from 6-20mm.

Q: If you could pick one person living or not to wear your jewelry who would it be and why?

A: My grandma, Jane, the sweetest lady there is. She has a big collection of my jewelry and always loves looking at my newest designs. We spend a lovely amount of time together and she likes to sit with me while I work on new pieces. She always has great design ideas too!

Jamie Hogsett is a bead lover, jewelry designer, and beading educator, currently creating designs for Antelope Beads. In previous bead-related journeys, she was the education coordinator for Soft Flex Company and the editor of Stringing Magazine. Jamie is the co-author of Show Your Colors! (Kalmbach Publishing Co.) and author of Stringing Style and the Create Jewelry series (Interweave Press). She loves working with handmade beads and gemstones of all shapes and sizes, always adding just a bit of crystal sparkle to her pieces.

Though Jamie most often uses wire-working and stringing techniques, she adores seed bead work and can't wait for the day when she has more time to sit and stitch. In the meantime, she enjoys her life in northern Colorado, surrounded by family and the Rocky Mountains.co-author of Show Your Colors! (Kalmbach Publishing Co.) and author of Stringing Style and the Create Jewelry series (Interweave Press). She loves working with handmade beads and gemstones of all shapes and sizes, always adding just a bit of crystal sparkle to her pieces. Though Jamie most often uses wire-working and stringing techniques, she adores seed bead work and can't wait for the day when she has more time to sit and stitch. In the meantime, she enjoys her life in northern Colorado, surrounded by family and the Rocky Mountains.

Stones used in Jamie's Designs: Matte Red Creek Jasper, Carnelian, Amethyst, Jade, Black Gold Amazonite, and Flower Jade