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Tell us about your background: Where were you born? Where did you grow up?
I'm a genuine Californian; I recently participated in a re-enactment of the walk that my ancestors took from the San Gabriel Mission to what is now the City of Los Angeles. I grew up in Pomona, California.
Did you go to school beyond High School? Where do you live now? What does your immediate family consist of?
My first college major was in Graphic Arts, before I changed to Administration of Justice. I have four brothers, all of whom were police officers but are now since retired. I have one sister, who lives in Oregon. I now live with my husband and son in San Bernardino, California. Sharing the household are two dogs and three cats.
Do you have a 'day job'? If so, what is it? How did you come to choose this type of job? If not, how do you support yourself?
I work full-time as an Inspector for the state of California. My job title is jokingly referred to as the "pillow police" because I actually do check furniture and bedding products for those infamous tags that read, "Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law". I've worked for the state for over 20 years, also as an investigator with the California Department of Justice.
How did you begin beading? For how long have you been a beader? What beaders influence you most? Have you taken bead classes? Art classes? What is (are) your masterpiece(s) or pieces that you are most proud of?
I began beading when I was 10, but back then projects were simple stringing, and loom work. I don't have any one particular beader that has influenced me, because there are so many creative, skilled beaders out there! I've taken art classes while in college, and my favorite style is bright and bold. One of my favorite pieces is a bead-embroidered art doll, one of the first entries that I ever submitted to the local county fair. It was fun to work on, and it won a blue ribbon!
Sampling of Laurie's Designs:
Click on an image to view the pattern information.
How did you start designing? What prompted you to take the step from following others projects/patterns to doing your own? How did you come to join B-P?? What has been your biggest joy concerning designing? biggest Challenge or disappointment? What are your influences as you design? In other words, where do you get your ideas? What styles, subjects do you like to do most and why? What is your favorite design (of your own) to date?
I became a designer at B-P when I found that many of my beading students wanted their 'own' ideas translated into a project. It would start with something like, "Can we make a bracelet with pearls in the middle, and crystals that make an X on the sides...." or some similar request, and I would write the detailed instructions down for them. I then started to write my own instructions for my own ideas. With my day job, I am often driving for hours, and instead of getting stressed out about it, I just relax and think of my next project. And I carry a little notebook in my purse to jot down ideas as I think of them. My favorite design of my own is the Singing the Blues Cat peyote beading chart (item 15389) because it is bright and fun.
Sampling of Laurie's Designs:
Click on an image to view the pattern information.
Describe your workspace? Do you have a studio? Dedicated room? Kitchen table? What programs do you use to work your designs?
My workspace is the dining room which has become my studio. The tagline on my Busy Crow Studio advertising is, "The Little Studio With the Big Imagination". My husband even made a special insert for the table where there is a hole in the center for lamps and cords to come through. I teach beading and wire wrapping classes there, and it is constantly evolving into looking less like a dining room...
Sampling of Laurie's Designs:
Click on an image to view the pattern information.
Do you have any goals related to beadwork/designing that you would like to see become a reality within the next 5 years? How are you working toward that end?
This year, I had a beaded egg pattern selected to be put into Bead-Patterns the Magazine. I was quite thrilled about that! But, my secret wish is that someday I will run into someone while in the mall, craft shop, or grocery store, and they will be wearing this piece of jewelry that they made from a design of mine.
Sampling of Laurie's Designs:
Click on an image to view the pattern information.
What have been your biggest personal (not necessarily bead related) challenges, and accomplishments.
With the state of California's budget crisis, employee salaries were reduced. It has prompted me to start other craft and bead related endeavors. I manage a doll and toy making group, and also a group called the Altered Art Tea Party, where the members make items using recycled materials. I also teach beading, wire wrapping, and crafts in the evenings and weekends, and I have met some wonderful people this way.
Anything else you wish to share that might be of interest, or inspiration for beaders?
Never be too critical of your own work, because there is no wrong way and no right way, only the 'creative way'!
Sampling of Laurie's Designs:
Click on an image to view the pattern information.
Busy Crow Studio (Laurie Silva)
e-mail - Patterns - Biography - Web Site
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