Featured Artisan -- These Precious Things

This week's featured artistan is Jama Watts of These Precious Things. A fellow Fabulous Artistic Mom, creates unique and captivating jewelry.

Tell me a little about yourself and what you do.
My name's Jama Watts and I operate under the name These Precious Things, named after a Tori Amos song. I've been in business for almost 5 years, but just started my Etsy store this past July. I opened my brick & mortar shop after my beautiful daughter Amber was born so that I could bring her to work with me or so that she could be with her dad & my mom who work next door. My background is in fine art, specifically painting, but I started beading when I was pregnant, as my OB/GYN kicked me out of my studio. It became an obsession and I fell in love with beadweaving, silver clay, sheet metal, wire... anything I could get my hands on to turn into jewelry!

What 3 words best describe your work?
Colorful, textural, creative

What inspires you?
My inspiration comes from all over - I usually listen to music while I bead or might have a movie on in the background just for noise. Music is my number 1 muse, beading where the music takes me, but I might also find a spark in a painting, a movie, nature or even the urge to try out a new stitch.

What drives you to create what you do?
I tell everyone that I'm ADD - I can't make the same thing over & over! I want to try new color combinations, stitches, techniques, whatever I can add to my repertoire.

What makes your work unique?
I think my background in art and lack of formal training in jewelry making helps give me free reign. I don't really feel obligated to do something "the way it's always been done."

What role does your work play in your life?
Since I run my own gallery, my creations are a big part of my life. I work in my gallery six days a week, creating at my desk most of the time. It is my life!

How do you see your work and/or your business evolving in the next five years?
Being in business, I know that it takes several years to actually draw an income, especially when you've invested in a storefront. I've also moved once, pushing that time back. I'd like to see my jewelry and business become self-sustaining, allowing me to spend more time promoting my work beyond the gallery, reaching into other cities & states.


Where can we find you on the web?
My Etsy store: http://thesepreciousthings.etsy.com
My blog: http://jamawatts.blogspot.com
My art site: http://jamawatts.com
My gallery: http://thesepreciousthings.com

Are you an artist or craftsperson? Would you like to be featured here? I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment here with a link to your shop, and I'll be in touch about future opportunities.