StudioDTQ
Location
East Hampton, CT, United States
Quick Blurb
I am a self taught ever learning jewelry artist who has been playing with metal, glass, crystal and stone since Dec 2005.
Interests
Wire wrapping is my main focus with semiprecious gemstones, Swarovski Crystals, pearls and handmade lampwork glass. I love using copper, sterling or rose gold-filled wire and components to swirl and create the perfect wearable confection.
Skills and Techniques
Wire wrapping, pounding the tar out of metal (my favorite) color metrics,
Find me online @:
http://www.StudioDTQ.com http://www.etsy.com/shop/StudioD… http://www.zibbet.com/StudioDTQ http://www.facebook.com/StudioDT…Get to Know
My name is Heather Marrow and I am the Owner/Designer of Studio DTQ. In case you're wondering, DTQ stands for DragonTrollQueen as I am known in jewelry forums, groups and such. I have been making jewelry since 2005 and I could not be happier doing anything else...well, maybe being a mom but that's not the point...
I have been thoroughly fascinated with gemstones, cabochons, precious metals, and jewelry for all of my life. Baubles, baubles, who's got the baubles! I was the chick who floated through jewelry stores on a whim, coffee breaks, lunch hours and days off, any time I had free time. I drove the salesfolks crazy with my million "how, what and why" questions and amassed a great deal of "library material," such as necklaces, earrings and rings over the years from thrift, mid priced and high end jewelry stores. You can't learn if you don't have anything to study, right? And I SO liked the field trips! I could walk up to other jewelry counters and hold my own in negotiations, too. (I thought I was very clever because I owned my own loupe.) I felt empowered that I could look at a bauble and know I wasn't getting fooled or taken without a fight. I must say the experiences served me well when it was time to buy wedding rings and I designed the set my husband and I now wear.
My previous working background has further enhanced my personal experience by employment in jewelry stores on both coasts. That and completing their extensive training courses on metals, gemstones and pearls, increased my knowledge as well as my enthusiasm. It helps that I'm a rather quick learner because I liked what I was studying! Adding to that, I had also been involved in retail industries such as clothing, perfume and fashion accessories over a 15 year span on a managerial level. I've completed courses on image, skin, health and beauty aides. I've bought and sold, and done every job from stocking shelves to managing crews in daily operations of a store. Most recently- and more to the point- I have been making jewelry since 2005.
I started out one winter bored out of my skull and racked with cabin fever. I found a plastic necklace and earring kit from one of my daughter's stockings and put it together. After finishing that little project, I was surprised at how easy I found it to complete and felt some pride doing so. And then it hit me; I fell in love with "creating." And it was jewelry! Could it be this easy? So I poked around the net to research what I could learn to make. Researching online gave me the opportunity to find wonderful little communities of designers who shared their passion and knowledge and it got me thinking; all the troubles I've had over the years for finding scaled unique pieces I WANTED to wear (I am neither tall nor willowy...Rubenesque or zaftig could give you an idea) could be solved by making my own pieces. I thought, I'm a creative kind of gal. I like coordinating outfits and decorating rooms to convey a certain atmosphere...I liked sketching, which is something I've done since childhood...hmmm. I'm feeling another epiphany coming on...like I think I can do this, too. So I did.
Kits and acrylic beads quickly moved to glass and base metals and eventually to precious metals, hand picked quality gemstones and gorgeous Crystallized Swarovski Elements. My fascination with jewelry had turned from a want into an interest to know more about the how to making these gems. The interest became a need to demystify the mechanics and finally need moved to passion for the creation process itself. A passion I cannot deny even if I tried (and surprisingly, I have) to create beautiful and inventive designs with my clever mind and artful hands. My obsession is complete!
My inspiration comes from many places; nature, architecture, other artists, crazy conversation I have with good friends...I let the material I'm using guide me to where it wants to go. I am bound by nothing but my power to interpret what I see and feel. I don't want to be limited; it's like being told what to do and I am too strong willed a person for that to happen, trust me. I try to learn something new everyday. I strive to honor my family, use my imagination and listen to my muse. I appreciate the blessing I've been given such as the experiences I see in my children's faces.
I am grateful for the gift I've been blessed with and all my own experiences, whether perceived as good or not so good. Those are also gifts to be treasured. I have my dark days and my happy days and endeavor to keep things on a even keel (though it seems some days it feels like I'm on a troubled ship- bailing water and putting out fire with my bare feet; it tends to make one a bit negative. Must be an artist thing) for my family. I appreciate the generosity of my fellow artists, nature, and my intrepid journeys around the internet and try to give back as much as I can, whenever I can. I create, contrive and finagle my designs in my Connecticut home/studio... Oh and live under the stairs- that troll thing and all...where do you think it COMES from...?
The thought of teaching is steadily pushing its way into my psyche and tutorials are on the horizon. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction in my limited capacity to teach but look forward to days when I can better impart my knowledge to others and pass the torch as so many wonderful and talented folks have done and continue to do so with me. I feel knowledge should be treated like a flame; it is a warm, comforting thing that gives light and life. It should be fed and tended and shared... to allow knowledge to fade and eventually die out is a wasteful thing to do. I have three children; boy girl twins and a younger daughter all who think I'm some kind of a wingnut (and they're right of course) but we have fun and laughter is a mainstay in my home.
I have been married for over 15 years to a wonderfully confused but cryptically supportive man. I am slowly turning him to the dark side and he's even thinking of joining me in the creative dark arts...we'll see.
Hmm...where DID I leave that duct tape and magic potion.....?
I have been thoroughly fascinated with gemstones, cabochons, precious metals, and jewelry for all of my life. Baubles, baubles, who's got the baubles! I was the chick who floated through jewelry stores on a whim, coffee breaks, lunch hours and days off, any time I had free time. I drove the salesfolks crazy with my million "how, what and why" questions and amassed a great deal of "library material," such as necklaces, earrings and rings over the years from thrift, mid priced and high end jewelry stores. You can't learn if you don't have anything to study, right? And I SO liked the field trips! I could walk up to other jewelry counters and hold my own in negotiations, too. (I thought I was very clever because I owned my own loupe.) I felt empowered that I could look at a bauble and know I wasn't getting fooled or taken without a fight. I must say the experiences served me well when it was time to buy wedding rings and I designed the set my husband and I now wear.
My previous working background has further enhanced my personal experience by employment in jewelry stores on both coasts. That and completing their extensive training courses on metals, gemstones and pearls, increased my knowledge as well as my enthusiasm. It helps that I'm a rather quick learner because I liked what I was studying! Adding to that, I had also been involved in retail industries such as clothing, perfume and fashion accessories over a 15 year span on a managerial level. I've completed courses on image, skin, health and beauty aides. I've bought and sold, and done every job from stocking shelves to managing crews in daily operations of a store. Most recently- and more to the point- I have been making jewelry since 2005.
I started out one winter bored out of my skull and racked with cabin fever. I found a plastic necklace and earring kit from one of my daughter's stockings and put it together. After finishing that little project, I was surprised at how easy I found it to complete and felt some pride doing so. And then it hit me; I fell in love with "creating." And it was jewelry! Could it be this easy? So I poked around the net to research what I could learn to make. Researching online gave me the opportunity to find wonderful little communities of designers who shared their passion and knowledge and it got me thinking; all the troubles I've had over the years for finding scaled unique pieces I WANTED to wear (I am neither tall nor willowy...Rubenesque or zaftig could give you an idea) could be solved by making my own pieces. I thought, I'm a creative kind of gal. I like coordinating outfits and decorating rooms to convey a certain atmosphere...I liked sketching, which is something I've done since childhood...hmmm. I'm feeling another epiphany coming on...like I think I can do this, too. So I did.
Kits and acrylic beads quickly moved to glass and base metals and eventually to precious metals, hand picked quality gemstones and gorgeous Crystallized Swarovski Elements. My fascination with jewelry had turned from a want into an interest to know more about the how to making these gems. The interest became a need to demystify the mechanics and finally need moved to passion for the creation process itself. A passion I cannot deny even if I tried (and surprisingly, I have) to create beautiful and inventive designs with my clever mind and artful hands. My obsession is complete!
My inspiration comes from many places; nature, architecture, other artists, crazy conversation I have with good friends...I let the material I'm using guide me to where it wants to go. I am bound by nothing but my power to interpret what I see and feel. I don't want to be limited; it's like being told what to do and I am too strong willed a person for that to happen, trust me. I try to learn something new everyday. I strive to honor my family, use my imagination and listen to my muse. I appreciate the blessing I've been given such as the experiences I see in my children's faces.
I am grateful for the gift I've been blessed with and all my own experiences, whether perceived as good or not so good. Those are also gifts to be treasured. I have my dark days and my happy days and endeavor to keep things on a even keel (though it seems some days it feels like I'm on a troubled ship- bailing water and putting out fire with my bare feet; it tends to make one a bit negative. Must be an artist thing) for my family. I appreciate the generosity of my fellow artists, nature, and my intrepid journeys around the internet and try to give back as much as I can, whenever I can. I create, contrive and finagle my designs in my Connecticut home/studio... Oh and live under the stairs- that troll thing and all...where do you think it COMES from...?
The thought of teaching is steadily pushing its way into my psyche and tutorials are on the horizon. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction in my limited capacity to teach but look forward to days when I can better impart my knowledge to others and pass the torch as so many wonderful and talented folks have done and continue to do so with me. I feel knowledge should be treated like a flame; it is a warm, comforting thing that gives light and life. It should be fed and tended and shared... to allow knowledge to fade and eventually die out is a wasteful thing to do. I have three children; boy girl twins and a younger daughter all who think I'm some kind of a wingnut (and they're right of course) but we have fun and laughter is a mainstay in my home.
I have been married for over 15 years to a wonderfully confused but cryptically supportive man. I am slowly turning him to the dark side and he's even thinking of joining me in the creative dark arts...we'll see.
Hmm...where DID I leave that duct tape and magic potion.....?
