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Creative
journey
Cheryl Zink tells us about her work
and creative journey.
My son Ari, unintentionally led me
into the world of jewelry and craft
design. My motivation was to find
an outlet for his considerable fine
motor skills. Ari is a special needs
fellow who is a fine wire craftsman and teaching him techniques
challenged him as much as me.
My newfound art came to me
purely by the grace of working
with Ari.
Practicing the art of beading
allows me to create in a far off,
asymmetric, free flowing place.
Beading provides an active online
community where dialogue
and mutual critiques from other
talented and creative bead and
jewelry designers, nourishes me.
Looking at disparate components, old, new, recycled, etc, and
threading a complimentary theme
throughout is what brings me
pleasure and challenges me.
My creative process usually begins
with a visual scan of my studio.
Trays and drawers provide a panorama of choices for my fingers and
eyes to explore. Usually, my tactile
senses are searching for one
creativebeadchat.com
principle object or shape, often a
Lampwork bead or unusual component to initiate the art.
One of my most satisfying weekly
events is a lunchtime beading
workshop that I have been leading, as a volunteer, the past three
years. Participation is purely by
choice, and along with my regulars, new additions keep popping
in. This is a group of sheltered
workshop adults with special
needs. We have bonded together
as a group and working with them
is an act of love. I have transitioned from teacher to facilitator
and friend. This workshop has
been blessed with bead donations
from my wonderful and generous
online bead community.
I originally trained as a physiological psychologist, and following
relocation to Montreal, completed
my studies as a counseling psychologist. I then went on to have
4 children who have been my
inspiration and focus for the past
28 years. My husband , is my most
severe critic, and at the same time
the greatest believer in my work.