Artist Of The Month - March 2009

Anne G. Bivens

Mailing Address:
199 Berry Tree Lane
Columbia, SC 29223

Phone: (803) 419–4092

Email:
annebivens@sc.rr.com

What do you love about Art Clay? I love the fact that the possibilities of what I can create with this medium are endless. I am only limited by my own imagination. I like the fact that working with art clay is less labor intensive than other forms of metal work and I can share enough knowledge with a class in a short period of time that my students can produce a piece of unique jewelry that they are proud of.
What are your favorite Art Clay projects/creations? I love to make items of jewelry that are related to the sea or to the mountains. I use a variety of sea shells, starfish, and sand dollars to create pendants for necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. I also use other natural items as inspiration, such as Queen Anne’s lace and Galax leaves from the mountains around Highlands, NC.
What other media do you work and/or teach in? I have been doing beading for years and have also taught students how to make beaded jewelry. I love to knot pearls.
Awards / Degrees: My degrees are in education. I have a BA degree in Elementary education and a Master’s degree in reading.
Biography: Since I was a little girl, I have loved jewelry, or I should say that I have always appreciated the beauty of gemstones and their settings. I began making beaded bracelets using a variety of items including old beads that I found in antique shops, thrift shops, and garage sales. I continued making these one of a kind pieces for a couple of years, but I always yearned to make something that was completely my own creation. Then I discovered Art Clay; I was so thrilled with this medium that I couldn’t get enough of it. I got a Level One certification from a wonderful teacher, Gina Witten, and then went on to get my Senior Certification from her as well. That was about 10 years ago, and I still love teaching students how to use Art Clay, and I am still using it to create pieces for my jewelry designs. In addition to making jewelry, I am married, have two college age sons, am an avid tennis player and work 25 – 30 hours a week, tutoring high school students at a wonderful Episcopal high school in Columbia, SC.
Philosophy: My philosophy is that everyone needs love and positive encouragement in order to accomplish what they were put here on earth to accomplish. I hate negativity and try to surround my self with positive people. I believe that there is creativity residing in all of us and sometimes all it takes for this creativity to surface is a little guidance and a few undisturbed hours. Having time to create is a blessing that I treasure and try to make time for. It makes my life complete.

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