We were lucky to catch up with Leslie Fawcett recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I first learned the technique of peyote stitch bead weaving, I was really just fascinated with the process, even excited for this cool new hobby I’d stumbled upon. The first time someone approached me about a piece I made, was very thrilling. Soon after that I did a trade with a woman I met at a bead show, one of my necklaces for one of her’s. She was selling her pieces and encouraged me to try my hand at it. I was on vacation with my sister in Nags Head when I decided to try to sell my work. I built up some designs and sort of expanded what I was making, no longer just necklaces, adding in bracelets and earrings. I’d always loved going to art fairs and craft shows with my mom and sister. I knew that was the market that I wanted to be a part of.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Once I decided to start selling my art, I focused on art shows and craft fairs. I took the beaded beads I was weaving and combined them with other gemstones and sterling silver components and started to design a line of jewelry. I have staple pieces that I will always offer, but each year I add a new design and a new color scheme to my line. I love creating the beads and playing with all the colors! I think my eye for color is definitely what sets me apart. My inspiration comes from all over, nature, a scarf I own, a blouse I saw someone wearing and what randomly ends up on my work table. I’m pretty much self-taught, how to articles and tutorials and I’m still learning. Doing art festivals is hard work and definitely not for the faint of heart. There is a lot of rejection, excitement, disappointment and you have to contend with the weather. But the thrill of someone loving your work, wearing your work, you just can’t beat it! This year I’ll be coming into my 21st year of doing art shows! Still a solo operation and still hand weaving each bead.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I actually have two examples for this and I have to tell you that what I think of as resilience, others probably call stupidity;) 1) While setting up for my first art show after the pandemic, the park we were in was hit by straight line winds. The artist’s tent across from me was lifted up by the winds and ‘thrown’ at my tent, while I was in it. It was quite terrifying, noisy and heartbreaking. I escaped with some minor bruises and a broken tent. After I got done shaking, I was able to borrow a tent from a very good friend and with her help and my husband’s we were able to get the broken tent down and the substitute up. I was able to participate in the show the next day.

2) Last year while taking down my (new) tent at the end of a show, one of my tent weights got away from me and took my ring finger with it. It was just a fluke accident and luckily I had gloves on. Bad weather was rolling in so I kept plugging away. By the time I got everything loaded up, the rain was torrential and it had hailed on me. Soaking wet but safe in my car, I decided to finally inspect the damage to my finger. Taking off the glove revealed a very swollen knuckle and my wedding rings trapped behind it! After a few tears, lots of ice, ibuprofen, a husband cheering me on, and resilience, I was able to get the rings off without having them cut off. Still can’t get two of them back on though.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew more about social media and had utilized it more. I’m just now finding my way with Instagram which I find I like more than Facebook. I’ve encountered quit a few shows that are really looking at your number of followers and engagement on Social Media when jurying for their shows. There’s a discipline to it that I’m struggling to maintain, but still trying. I think it’s a wonderful way to engage and have ones art seen by potentially millions.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lesliefawcettbeadwork?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeslieFawcettBeadwork