Artist Of The Month - August 2010

	Colleen McGraw Mailing Address: 602 Wilshire Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Phone: 702-438-5199 Email: cfmcgraw@cox.net
Website: http://beadmetaler.blogspot.com

What do you love about Art Clay? I love the speed and flexibility of creating with Silver Art Clay. Being able to make a beautiful piece of jewelry in 30 min. or less, who doesn’t love that?
What are your favorite Art Clay projects/creations? I love making and wearing rings. It’s so hard to find rings that fit, that are comfortable to wear and unique enough to fit your finger and your moods.
What other media do you work and/or teach in? Beadwork, Wirework, Chainmaille Mixed Media & Silversmithing classes.
Biography: Colleen McGraw was born into a family of artists her mother was a published poet and painter, and her siblings are all artists in their own right. Raised in Southern California, Colleen started out innocently teaching herself beadwork as a hobby, only a hobby she told herself. That was back in 1994; since then her "hobby" has evolved into a full fledged business that she loves. In 2006 Colleen saw an article about Silver Art Clay in Lapidary Journal, 2 weeks later she was on a plane to Portland Oregon immersed in taking the level 1 certification class. It was the first time she ever touched the product. Colleen is also experienced in lapidary work, silversmithing, wirework, chainmaille, mixed media and beadwork. Colleen currently lives in Las Vegas Nevada with her husband of 23 years and teaches all levels of jewelry making in her home studio.
Philosophy: Everyone has a creative side to their soul, some are lucky to come by it naturally, others have to dig down deep to find it, and mine I suppose was inherited from my mother. To find it you must be willing to make mistakes, find your way and PLAY, PLAY, PLAY.
Awards / Recognition: Publications: Creative Beading Vol. 4 Bead & Button 2009 Creative Beading Vol. 3 Bead & Button 2008 Step–By–Step Wire Magazine: Spring 2008 Beadwork Magazine: Aug/Sept. 2008 Bead & Button Magazine: Feb. 2008 Bead & Button Magazine: April 2007 Beadwork Magazine: June/July 2004 Certification: Level One Certification Silver Art Clay: June 2006 Senior Level Certification Silver Art Clay: November 2006

Archived - Featured Artist of the Month
Arlene Hildebrand Mornick (July 2005)	Pam East (August 2005)	Gordon Uyehara (September 2005)	Kate Qualley Peterson (October 2005)
Jane Levy (December 2005)	JoAnne Ruzzi (January 2006)	Maria Martinez (February 2006)	Deborah Kirkwood (March 2006)
Lu Mcgill (April 2006)	Trish Jeffers-Zeh (May 2006)	M. Sue Way (June 2006)	Kurt Madison (July 2006)
Lorrene Davis (August 2006)	Carol Babineau (September 2006)	Denise Gravano (October 2006)	Lyle Rayfield (November 2006)
Jonna Faulkner (December 2006)	Kathy Davis (January 2007)	Laurie Yoder (February 2007)	Linda Stiles Smith (March 2007)
Tamara Farion (April 2007)	Scott Cover (May 2007)	Marti Icenogle (June 2007)	Dana Peters (July 2007)
Sallie Bly (August 2007)	Judi Hendricks (September 2007)	Cheryl Lee (October 2007)	Wendy Hoffman (November 2007)
Julie Rorden (January 2008)	Barbara Thomas (February 2008)	Deborah Jemmot (May 2008)	Lynn Larkins (September 2008)
Jennifer Crull (October 2008)	Dana Bakke (November 2008)	Gayle Weatherson (December 2008)	Peggy Koop (January 2009)
Debra Ludwick (February 2009)	Anne Bivens (March 2009)	Carol Radley (May 2009)	Jan Dobrowolski (June 2009)
Alex Taylor (July 2009)	Michiko Yoshikawa (August 2009)	Shannon Miranda (September 2009)	Christine Gries (October 2009)
Shirley Brown (November 2009)	Debra Carus (March 2010)	Stacia Davis Moore (April 2010)	Sophia Tink (May 2010)
(June 2010) Barbara Hance	(July 2010) Pat Accorinti	(August 2010) Colleen McGraw	(September 2010)

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