Featured Artist: Fleur De Lee

 Shop Name:Fleur De Lee Design

What you like to go by:

 Lee

When did you start your shop?

May 2010

Is this your only job?

No, I work full time as a school secretary at a high school

When did you realize you had this talent?

I have always dabbled in arts and crafts, but never settled on a specfic discipline until I asked an artist friend to set a stone I had. He asked if I knew what wire wrapping was and

when I said, "no" he told me to look it up on the internet and handed me some pliers! I was hooked.

Where do you find your inspiration?
The stones seem to dictate the design and I have always loved pretty rocks. I can't seem to walk across a parking lot without checking the ground for pretty stones.

Who has been the most supportive of your work?

My husband has been amazing! He will cook dinner and do laundry so I have time to work on jewelry when we get home from work. There is no way I could do this without him.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish that you haven't yet?
I keep discovering new techniques that I want to learn. I started working with wire and am now doing more with metal sheet and every time I walk by a gallery I see more techniques I want to learn.

What are your words to live by or favorite quote?

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,totally worn out, with a glass of champagne in one hand and a box of

chocolate in the other screaming, "Woo-Hoo! What a ride!"and

In the words of John Wayne, "Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway!"

Related articles

• How to Wire Wrap a Herringbone Ring (beadinggem.com)
• Wire Wrapped Heart With Healing Crystals (cutoutandkeep.net)
• Handmade Wire Wrapped Bangle Bracelets (healthhappinessandlove.wordpress.com)
• How to Make Triangle or Triangular Jewelry Tutorials (beadinggem.com)
• The DIY Stone Photo Holder: Make a Rad Photo Display for Under $5 (content.photojojo.com)
• beading basics continues with essential tools for beaders!! (missfunes.wordpress.com)
• Black and Gold Chainmaille Necklace with Wire Wrapped Rock Pendant (echolace.wordpress.com)
• Feature Friday: Briarosedesigns! (underestimatedmom.wordpress.com)

and more Supplies!

I just bought these pretty puppies today! I can't wait for them to come in! They should come in handy, and they are purple! My favorite color! You can't create a quality product without the right tools. Since I have small hands I find that the "mini" tools are a nice fit for me. My last set were also mini's and I'm sad to see them go but there were getting a little rusty! So tonight I decided to treat myself. This kit has everything that I'll need plus a nice little carrying case with elastic bands to hold the tools in place if I ever need to travel with my supplies! Looks like Christmas is going to come a little early for me this year!