Artisan Spotlight
Artisan Feature – Beth Christina McCurdy
Creativity and nature go hand in hand for Beth Christina McCurdy, a jewelry artist from Florida’s Emerald Coast. “I couldn’t do what I do without being outside in nature. Even if it’s raining, I’ll go for a run,” she reveals, sharing how outdoor adventures inspire her creative process.
Beth’s journey is also about perseverance. “Hard work and doing something repeatedly always helps me to overcome obstacles,” she reflects, underscoring her unwavering commitment to her craft.
Join us as we learn about how Beth’s love of nature, perseverance and courage helped her to build and grow her jewelry business.
Please tell us a little about yourself
Beth: My name is Beth McCurdy. I am 54 years old and have been married for 24 years. We have one son named Grant, who is 23 and lives in Atlanta, and an almost 11-year-old rescue standard poodle named Seymour. We live on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Specifically, we live on the panhandle in Santa Rosa Beach. We are surrounded by a coastal dune lake and the Gulf of Mexico. I’m originally from Northern Virginia (near D.C.) but spent many years living in Atlanta prior to moving to Florida about 5 years ago. I’m also a runner and used to be a very long-distance runner (ultramarathons). Moving my body outside in nature is as important to me as my creative time.
How long have you been creating your unique jewelry/art?
Beth: I began making jewelry in 1997 while working as a clinical mental health therapist. After receiving my masters in counseling, I worked in facilities that treated chemical dependency for about 10 years. A friend of mine invited me to a bead shop on a Saturday and I was hooked. I even started working at the bead shop on the weekend to learn as much as I could about jewelry making. I specifically loved wire wrapping and still remember the owner teaching me how to wire wrap.
I also loved to paint so I bought wood beads and intricately painted them and incorporated them into my designs. I sold them to my colleagues at work. I was on a tight budget as a single girl living on a modest income so I was always trying to think of ways to make jewelry economically.
After my son was born, I decided to go into business and sell my jewelry. I approached shops in Atlanta presenting them with my jewelry and was in several shops at one point. I participated in craft shows, school events, Christmas Bazaars, and even taught jewelry making and did birthday beading parties for girls. I was on Etsy for about 3 years.
Once the recession hit and we had a horrible home burglary in Atlanta and all of my fine jewelry (family heirlooms) was stolen, jewelry making came to a screeching halt. I didn’t want to have anything to do with jewelry for a long time.
I went on to so many other creative paths that it would take too long to talk about here! Art journaling, writing, scrapbooking, furniture refinishing, home decorating, oil painting, acrylic painting, mixed media, upcycling thrift store stuff, cooking, to name several! At one point, I had a space in an antique mall.
When we moved to Florida, I really got into painting birds. I would buy wood from Home Depot, stain it, paint a Blue Heron, and layer it with a coat of resin and some resin mixed with mica powder. I started selling them in a few art galleries near where I live and out of the blue, I decided to order a jewelry mold on Amazon to pour leftover resin. And that’s how jewelry making started back up for me.
Not in a million years did I think that I’d ever make jewelry again.
How do you approach the design process for your art/jewelry pieces? Do you have a specific creative routine or method?
Beth: I usually have a general idea of what I need to make but it usually involves me going off into other directions. I don’t overthink things and I am in the moment the majority of the time. Creating is a very spiritual experience for me.
Did you face a learning curve with any specific technique/material (e.g., resin, metal stamping, epoxy resin)? How did you overcome it?
Beth: Everything that I have ever made has a learning curve and the way that I approach it is by doing it over and over again. I’ve always been a fan of doing things to excess (like ultramarathons, LOL) and I love working hard. When my back hurts when I’m working on a long project, I keep going. Hard work and doing something repeatedly always helps me to overcome obstacles.
Can you describe your process for selecting and preserving materials for your art/jewelry?
Beth: Living on the coast is my inspiration so I try to incorporate sand, coquina clam shells, flowers and leaves, from Santa Rosa Beach. Coquina clams shells are everywhere here. They are the little clams that the sandpiper birds eat. I crush them and embed them in the jewelry. I love to collect wildflowers and leaves when on my walks with my dog Seymour, take them home, and press them.
In the early stages of your creative journey, what choices did you make to support yourself financially?
Beth: When I opened up my business here in Florida, I was in some shops, did farmers markets and pop ups. As time went on, I became more driven. I decided that I wanted to do this full-time and worked very hard. Sometimes I would do 3-4 events in one weekend. That means I would set up my tent 4 times. Fortunately, we have my husband’s income so I was able to save money while carefully investing more into the business. An opportunity came open for me 10 months ago to open up a small studio and shop in a very busy tourist area. I knew that I wanted to do it but it was the scariest thing that I’ve ever done. Forcing myself to do something scary has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.
Can you reflect on some of the notable challenges you’ve encountered in running your creative business?
Beth: Nothing in life is ever easy no matter how wonderful it is. I’ve had many obstacles. The business side of having your own business took some time to learn and now I have a routine and system in place in regards to bookkeeping. I’m a bit of a control freak and like to do things myself. I also don’t like to unnecessarily pay for things that I can do myself.
My shop is required to be open 7 days a week so I have an employee who gives me Mondays off and covers me on days that I have events (yes I still do events! Mostly art shows). I’ve taught her how to assemble necklaces and she does other tasks as well to help me manage everything.
Can you tell us about your main venue for selling your creations and how you’ve navigated the challenges and successes associated with it?
Beth: As mentioned above, I sell at events, I’m currently in a few shops (on consignment), online sales, and of course my brick and mortar shop.
If it weren’t for pushing myself by doing a lot of events, I never would have been ready for opening my own shop. I also have experience working part-time at an art and fine jewelry gallery. That helped me tremendously to understand how to run a brick and mortar.
How many shows or venues do you typically attend in a year?
Beth: Currently, I have scaled back to a few a month if that. In two weeks, I have a big two day fine art festival. On Thursday morning, I still participate as a vendor at a small beach market. I have a lot of customers there that I enjoy seeing.
Have face-to-face interactions at shows led to follow-up sales on platforms like Instagram or Etsy?
Beth: Face to face interactions are huge. People love to meet the artist. So much of this has to do with relationships. If it weren’t for these relationships, I wouldn’t have so many online orders. And I love meeting new people. I can’t imagine working this business only online.
How do you stay creative and motivated during challenging times in your business?
Beth: Here at the beach, we have slow months. I have learned that it’s my mindset that controls things and I cannot let it affect my mood. I have to see the slow days as opportunities to get a lot done. Thankfully, my creativity has not diminished as a result of challenging times.
Do you have any specific habits or practices that help you stay creative on a regular basis?
Beth: I have to run several mornings a week. It clears my mind and gives me creative thoughts and ideas while running. I couldn’t do what I do without being outside in nature. Even if it’s raining, I’ll go for a run.
What do you think are your top three strengths as a creator/business owner?
Beth: My product
My work ethic
I love people.
How does living a creative life contribute to your overall happiness?
Beth: I can’t imagine life without creating every day. Even on Monday when I am home and not in the shop, I work in my journal.
Did you have a mentor or role model who influenced your creative journey?
Beth: My parents are retired writers and my mother is an artist (portraits mostly). My mom is 84 and still crochets, bakes, cooks, and crafts.
Are there any books you recommend for those aspiring to live a more committed creative life?
Beth: I bought The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron back in the 1990s and haven’t stopped journaling since. Journaling has made me the artist that I am today.
You use Nunn Design Jewelry Findings in your work. How did you come to discover Nunn Design, and why do you trust your jewelry to our products?
Beth: The daughter of the owner of the art gallery I was working at told me about Nunn.
Because I am drawn to a vintage vibe, the oxidized Nunn metals are perfect for me. Nunn has literally changed my life. I love trying new pieces and am intrigued by how the same design can look completely different in different bezels.
I am so grateful to have Nunn as a huge part of my business.
Connect with Beth Christina:
Thank you, Beth, for taking the time to inspire us!
To view more of Beth’s stunning creations, visit her Website: www.bethchristinaart.com
Follow and support her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethchristinaart/
Follow her on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethchristinadesigns
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