Patricia Greer

Name: Patricia Greer

Website Link: www.plgreer.com

Where are you located? Winchester, VA

Tell us a bit about yourself: I used to work as a computer programmer and database designer.  After being stationed abroad for 12 years and returning to the states a year ago my husband encouraged me to pursue jewelry design as a business.  So now I work from home and take care of our very spoiled dog and cat.

When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art? I began making jewelry about 4 years ago when my husband and I were stationed in Belgium.  I had a lot of time on my hands and needed an outlet.  Jewelry was it.

What do you make? Right now I make bracelets, necklaces and earrings.  I just haven’t gotten to the rings, fibulas and other things yet but they are in my future.

What materials and methods do you use? I like working with sterling silver, copper and brass.  I love the fair trade beads that I am discovering and also the unique handmade lampwork beads being made.  I am slowly trying to expand my skills and have started to study various techniques such as fold forming.  There is just so much out there to learn.  There’s always something new for me.

Where do your design inspirations come from?  I love to look through books on ethnic and tribal jewelry. I really love the ethnic styles.  I get so much inspiration from the forms, shapes, materials and even the people wearing them.  I also like forms in nature.  I have a collection of leaves and bark from my neighborhood.

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? I work in my home.  Right now my studio is in the basement but we have just bought a house and I already have my new space picked out so I’m very excited about that.

Where can your products be seen?  My products can be seen on my website and I have also just joined up with a very talented group of women artisans called the Eclectic Jewelry Artisans.

Upcoming events: Silent auction at Widener University School of Law

Who are you a fan of? Charles Lewton-Brain, Susan Lenart Kazmer, Connie Fox

Tell us  a little about one of your favorite creations:  One of my favorite pieces is  a bracelet made with lots of wrapped silver and one of a kind handmade lampwork beads.  It very much reminds me of a stormy beach.  The reason I like it so much is because it was one of the first pieces I ever made and the structure of it was really outside of my comfort zone but it felt so good to do this and I really like the end result.  Now I still try to do some things that are outside the box for me.