Inside the Artisan's Studio: Marjorie Cunningham

"Inside the Artisan's Studio" is a weekly peek into the creative process of artisans and craftspeople. I've based my questions on those asked by James Lipton during "Inside the Actor's Studio" but with an artistic twist!

Marjorie Cunningham
New Jersey

I'm Marjorie Cunningham of Marjorie's Cracked Plate Jewelry and I design wire wrapped jewelry using smoothed shards of china, porcelain, ceramic and even Waterford crystal. And because my grandmother gave me the knowledge of how to crochet, along with a love of it, I also crochet with wire, creating necklaces and bracelets that are incorporated into my broken china work.

I've lived on the Jersey Shore all my life and am a true clam digger! So of course, I couldn't leave out sea glass and unique broken shells from my jewelry line. Which pleases me no end since the shore has been such a part of my life. There's nothing like walking along the beach and finding those bright little pieces of sea glass, which unfortunately is becoming harder and harder these days to find.

1. What is your favorite medium to work in?
Broken china

2. What is your least favorite medium to work in?
I hate to solder.

3. What inspires your creativity?
The broken china itself inspires me. Old china has such history to it. A lot of china is hand painted by artists. The beauty of their work inspires me. And I also like to think of the life of the piece of china, who previously owned it, the dinners and parties it was used at, the homes and tables it beautified. I'm truly inspired when someone asks me to make jewelry from their own china, china that has a sentimental value to them and I learn of their china's story and what it means to them.

4. What blocks your creativity?
I also work as a paralegal and it can be quite conflicting with creativity! There are times I'll get a new idea for a jewelry piece in the middle of the night and when I wake up, all I want to do is start work on it. But there will be a pile of legal files waiting for me to tackle. And sometimes by the time I finish all that, my enthusiasm for the new design has dimmed.

5. What sound or noise do you love when working on your craft/art?
I sometimes listen to music - mostly classical or instrumental. But I really love to take my work out into the garden and hear the sounds of nature. Which I sometimes interrupt with the sound of breaking china!

6. What sound or noise do you hate when working on your craft/art?
Neighbors' music blasting in my ears! And lawn mowers and leaf blowers.

7. What is your favorite piece that you have created recently?
I was given a broken Nippon china pitcher at a craft show and I've recently been creating some pieces from it. Such a beautiful hand painted pitcher. And I was able to incorporate the rounded edges into my design. Quite a pleasure to work with.

8. What craft/art other than your own would you like to attempt?
I think I've tried every craft out there in my life time! Although I crochet, I've never really mastered knitting and I would like to become better at that.

9. What craft/art would you not like to do?
I honestly can't think of any. Any type of creativity is so enjoyable.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say about your craft/art when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
You've helped make the world a more beautiful place.

Marjorie and her creations can be found here:

Web: www.marjoriescracked.com, marjoriescracked.1000Markets.com, marjoriescracked.etsy.com

Blog: marjoriescracked.blogspot.com

Facebook: artist.to/marjoriescrackedplatejewelry

Twitter: @marjoriecracked

If you are an artisan interested in being profiled in a future post, complete the online form here.