People often wonder how I got the name for my business. I knew when I started I wanted to use a name other than my name. It was hard at the beginning and then I decided to focus in on something personal, something that meant something to me. Ruby was the name of my dog growing up. She was a black lab. My dad named her, and her full name was Ruby Begonia. She was pretty famous in our neighborhood. She’d escape and everyone knew who she was. She’d get into groceries and trash cans. Some of her most famous prizes to bring home were a half gallon of unopened Breyers Ice Cream and a thawing package of ribs (on separate occasions, of course-).
I began by taking a silversmithing class. I think I knew immediately that this was something I should be doing. I’m a late bloomer; it never had occurred to me when I was young and working in a jewelry store part time that actual people made the jewelry. But I’ve since moved on to take courses for wax modeling, metal sculpture, repousse, stone setting and many workshops in between to hone my skills. However, the most important thing has been practice and trial & error. Learning what works and what looks good. Knowing what you like to do and what you are good at is not to be underestimated as well! I think I really knew this was for me when I found I could make something beautiful by pounding and drilling and sawing and torching!
One of the things I like best about metal work is that you don’t have to be perfect. While perfection has its place in many of the applications, many sculptural pieces are freeform and may start out one way and end another. In my jewelry applications I work mostly with sterling silver, occasionally I’ll feel bold and use some gold. For color I love to work with resin. Resin is basically a plastic. It is 2 parts and does not become hardened until it is joined. I play with it by adding tints and textures to get the colors that I add to my designs. Resin is very strong and is used as a bonding agent in industrial applications. I also use natural beads and stones. Some designs I like simple and contemporary, others I like really fun and interesting. I guess my designs suit my own styles. I like the freedom to create and develop as I work, this allows me to explore and try new things. This means a lot ends up in the recycle heap, but it’s how I can come up with great things too! The best thing about any art form is that the ability to improve is infinite!
I have also used my creative side in another positive way through volunteering. I have volunteered with a program in the City of Alexandria, called “ Someplace of Her Own, which is an art mentoring program that works with disadvantaged girls. The mentors work with the girls weekly through art classes and work on projects that will specifically go into their bedrooms. At the end of the project year, they re-do their bedrooms with a small budget and the art they have created.
E-mail: RubyBegoniaDesigns@comcast.net