My name is Lucy McClure, and I am the
owner/artist of bel monili by l.marlane. I hand-craft jewelry and
accessories using vintage and re-purposed materials, including vintage
earrings, chain, books, buttons, flowers, and much more. Each item I
make is uniquely one of a kind, making it an affordable piece of
wearable art.
For my “day job”, I am a speech-language pathologist at a suburban
elementary school. I love every minute of my job, and one of the best
features is that it allows me the time and availability to indulge my
artistic side.
My artistic journey began two years ago in the summer of 2010. My
boyfriend was traveling extensively for work, and I was looking to learn
some new things. I have always been creative and crafty, so when I
noticed a special on classes at a local craft store, I signed up for a
few jewelry making sessions. After the first class, I knew that I really
had something. I seemed to have a natural knack for the mechanics of
jewelry making and (according to the class teacher and several
onlookers) a good eye for color and scale. I was hooked instantly, and
spent the rest of the summer happily making jewelry for myself and my
friends.
I quickly began to receive requests from people to buy my items,
which was a welcome bonus to my new found hobby. I got to the point
where I had so many interested buyers, I decided to take a friend’s
recommendation and apply to be a vendor at a craft show. I had shopped
at the I Made It! Markets since their inception, so it seemed like a
good place to begin. I applied for the I Made It! Market at the WYEP
Rock the Block, and (much to my surprise) I was accepted! From that
point on, my jewelry making went from a small side hobby to the
full-fledged business it is today.
I am honored to have so many loyal customers and online “fans” who
have whole heartedly supported me and my business. It seems like every
day my business grows to new heights, be it through retail
opportunities, personal acknowledgements, or national shows/events.
I invite you to follow bel monili on Facebook, Twitter, and
Pinterest, and subscribe to my blog to keep up on new items, where I’ll
be, and what we have going on!