Treasure Thursday - Deborah Flanagan Jewelry

It’s time for the next Treasure Thursday. Today you will meet a woman who’s blog I have been following for a while. Let me introduce you Deborah! She has great recipes, fashion ideas and fantastic giveaways on her blog. You should go and check it out! She is also a jewelry designer:

*Tell me a little bit about yourself.

My name is Deborah Flanagan.  I've been married to the same wonderful man for 31 years.  We have 3 grown children. We spend our time between Southeast Michigan and Elbow Cay, Bahamas.  When I'm not making jewelry, I'm cooking and baking, blogging, working out at the gym, reading and hanging out with the hubby.

* How long have you been a jewelry designer? How and why did you start?

When I moved to Michigan from Pennsylvania in 1991, I took a jewelry making class at our local art center.  I loved it so much I enrolled at the local university and completed studies receiving a BFA with a concentration in metals (quite a change from my previous occupation of nursing).  I went full-circle and taught at the same art center where I took my first class and began to sell my jewelry at their gallery shop.  I no longer teach but they continue to carry my work in the shop. 

*This is one of my favorite pieces from her shop.

* What is your favorite material to work with and why?

I work with silver, choosing to fabricate all my work from silver sheet or wire, rather than working in wax and casting.  Each piece is therefore unique.  I like the feel of the metal and respond to how how manipulative it actually is.  Sometimes I just NEED color and I use beads or stones but I think my best work is using silver alone incorporating shape, texture, and proportion.  

 *Love her bubble creations!

* What is your favorite recipe/food?

It would be hard to say what my favorite food is but my favorite recipe is my grandmother's chocolate cake.   This is a family favorite for any/all occasions. 

*Click picture for the recipe

I have a small garden in the summer and I adore cooking with the fresh vegetables and herbs and I cook on the grill every chance I get. 

* Where do you get your inspiration for the items in your shop?

I take inspiration from current fashion for sure.  Sometimes just playing around with the metal will inspire a design.  Mostly I think I look at classic jewelry designs and try to make them modern.  

*If you had to choose just one favorite item in your shop, what would it be and why?

The jewelry that I wear most often (everyday) is a set of hammered silver bangles. 

My favorite new piece is the Can't Loose earrings.  The "catch" on the back of the earring locks-in the earwire insuring that you "can't loose" them. 

It is so easy and frustrating to loose and earring when wearing a scarf or turtleneck sweater.  I love the modern look of these earrings.  I've gotten many compliments when I wear them.  

GIVEAWAY!

Deborah is giving away a pair of earrings (winner's choice) or a set of 3 bangles.

Rules:

* You have to be Made In Canarias follower via Google Friend Connect to enter the giveaway!

* winner of the giveaway will be chosen on March 26th;

* winner has 24 hours to answer my email or new winner will be drawn.

Here’s how to enter:

Good luck!