We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Linda Evans a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Linda, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I have been self taught and learned a lot through trail and error. For example, what materials to buy and differences in wire size and bead size and different tools needed. I think taking a beading course may have helped with the above issue. I think I would also benefit from a tools or a wire working class. Most of my obstacles were either financial or conflict between work schedules and education classes. One of the issues is there are not many classes offered in jewelry crafting. You have basic classes on how to make earrings or a simple strung necklace but not lot of other classes unless you want to pay 50 or 50 dollars for crystal bead class. Many jewelry classes I see are often metal working classes for making engagement rings or fused pendants. These classes are expensive but popular. I have to tell people I don’t manufacture silver rings or have a kiln for fusing pendants. On a side note, I absolutely love buying glass beads and pendants from other artists to incorporate into my own work though.

Linda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I come from a artistic family and many family members have that art gene that drives us to draw and create. I have always enjoyed art and creating gifts for others. When I was in college, my friend Debbie was doing a expo and she asked me to have a display at the show because she thought my jewelry and art was awesome and that people would want to buy it. From there I started reaching out to shows and venues to sell my art. I enjoy doing shows that help others and I think my most high profile shows are the Haute Accessories fashion shows. I had presented my jewelry in the haute fashion runway show in March of last year and it was a wonderful experience. I really appreciate all my friends and others support and encouragement as well. Two things I want to be known for is quality and care. I use quality materials and natural materials in my pieces and I want you to know that the pieces are durable and won’t break after a few wearings. They are beautiful and handmade by me so you are getting original imaginative from my heart to you. The second thing is care. I want to support local community efforts to help others with my work and support local schools and nonprofits. I am a big fan of Current Inc and laundry of love/Affordable Christmas and Well Built bikes/Well Built Cities and their work in the surrounding community. My jewelry and art comes from a joyous and creative Spirit full of whimsical ideas. One of the main themes is love of nature and God’s creation. So many pieces will invoke flowers, gardens, forests, underwater discovery and space. I am also into storytelling with mermaids, Victorian fantasy, and adventures. I use semi precious stones and geodes slices to do my pendants with wire wrappiing and sterling silver hooks for my earrings. I love handmade and handcrafted things. I think people can buy my pieces and carry a bit of beauty and fashion with them day or night. A touch of moonlight or a drop of sunlight and a reminder of nature in their life.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society needs to stop viewing art as disposable or unnecessary. They need to fund art, theater, and dance in schools and in society. I want to see more art that inspires and shows talent and skill in our museums and less bananas on walls and installations that show no skill or meaning. I would like more community art and opportunities for people to try something new and believe in themselves. I would be more ballet and classical music. I would tell people even if you can’t draw a stick man or feel bad about your lack of art skills here is a place that you can try new things and experiment and create. Art is not just for when you are old. It is for all ages, for mental health, for enjoyment and for communication and expressing yourself.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I mentioned it earlier but I want to support non profits and help people, schools, and communities with my work. I want to help local but also help other venues like rebuilding North Carolina and even internationally. Locally, I am more focused on helping women and children and the needy/homeless. This is partly done via laundry of love which helps meet the need for clean laundry for people. We adopt a laundry mat for a day and pay for everyone to wash what ever needs washing and drying for a couple of hours. They do this a different areas and places. Well built helps with getting transit by bike and repairs and food via food markets and food pantry. I have supported Learning Gate in the past as well. There are lots of little projects that people do to help the community that I like too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/waterfallSplendor
• Instagram: www..inatagram.com/Lindajoysjewelry
• Other: I have jewelry at the Morean Art Center in St Pete. I also have some new art projects coming up including a children:s book! Follow me on IG for all the updates.

Image Credits

Myself and people at event.