Featured Crafter: Mary Katherine from Silvia’s Heart
June 25, 2010 by Dawn
Filed under Featured Crafter, Jewelry
In this Featured Crafter, we hear from Mary Katherine from Silvia’s Heart. Read on to learn how Mary Katherine’s love of a tiara turned into her love of gemstones.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I worked for a number of banks for many years, but lost my job because my medical leave expired and they couldn’t hold my job until I got better. Still on disability. I have loved gemstones for forever. I started making simple jewelry about 2 years ago. When I lost my German Shepherd Silvia a year ago and lost my job, I started to actually learn about gemstones. My wonderful husband has invested a lot of money in my learning process. Caliper gauge, carat scale, refractometer, microscope, loupe, loose gemstones, reference books & DVD’s. It has been a wonderful learning experience. I love setting my gems & then creating something around them. My loves are my husband Gabriele, my dogs Lacie & Tiler, Family and my gems and being cancer free for 10 years and running! (breast cancer & then skin cancer due to radiation)
Where can we find you?
I am on Etsy at silviasheart.etsy.com, and I am also under Facebook at MaryKatherine Mayhew-Valente.
What first got you interested in your craft?
I fist got interested in gems with my Grandmother’s tiara when I was a child! I have always been a jewelry buff!
Please describe your creative process.
I create when the mood hits or I see something of color that strikes me. Lately, I have been redoing my pics again & again trying to get them right with not too much success. A work in progress still!
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
Apart from creating my items, I love my family, the outdoors, gardening, cooking, and decorating.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Because I love my craft so much and can’t wear everything I make, I donate to Sequin Level Lodge 140 of Newington, CT, the Shriners at Newington, CT and the Rainbow girls for charity auctions. My husband is an officer for his Masonic lodge, so I do what I can to raise money. I am currently working on items for the John Wheatley Golf charity event in July. It benefits Dana Farber Cancer Institute, CT Chip program, The Jimmy Fund & Team Suzy Q as well as the Shriners Childrens hospitals. Please visit the website at www.johnwheatleygolfclassic.org for the information. Since I am home, I intend on working with Gabriele at the golf classic at whatever hole they place us at to raise even more money! We will also be working the CT Chip program this month in Newington, CT. A great day always! I consider myself a lucky woman. I have a wonderful husband & family and a family of Masonic Brothers & their wives! Very lucky indeed!
