Art is a hobby for some and a passion for others.  Some begin as a child, stringing beads and others trip on their passion later in life.  However they got there, there is something special about an artist that truly loves her work!  Such is the case with Veronique Landis, a frequent product contributor on ItsBetterHandmade and seriously talented jewelry artist.

When asked about how she got started, Veronique wrote….

I have always loved the glitter, sparkle and rainbow of colors that gemstones show from every angle. The warm feel of yellow gold to the touch and my favorite, pearls are all sensory delights. This is what started my new passion for jewelry making.

It all began when my husband got station with the Navy in Seoul, South Korea.
Korea is a shopping paradise. You can find anything you want in the many bazaars and shops of their capital city. During my shopping trips I found pearls, thousands of pearls. Temporary stung by these new found treasure, I thought I had died and gone found heaven. Of course all the strands where not of the best quality, but like all treasure’s you have to look hard for that diamond in the rough, so to speak. After a period buying, searching and examining many strings of pearls I’d come up with 10 to 20 AA quality pearls per strand. And at two dollars a strand of 75 pearls, it was still a great deal.

Then I got books and learned to knot. I made many bracelets and necklaces as presents and gifts for our young Sailors, Marines and Soldiers to send home beautiful jewelry for to their mothers, sisters, girlfriends and wives. I had fun making these at the cost of the material and the reward of their smiles and appreciation was all I needed. It was such a wonderful feeling.

A career military man never stays in once place for too long. After Korea, we moved to Naples, Italy for a three year tour. I was hooked I wanted more learn more. I got three kilos of freshwater pearls and lots of books on beading, gemstones, pmc, gold and silver. I had a knack for the beading and weaving of beads and gemstones and built up a collection to sell at the Navy exchange as an independent vendor. I was always in demand since no two items were the same and they were sad to see us leave.

Back to the USA for a short tour in Rhode Island where I had my unique designs for sale at a local consignment shop. While I was in Virginia I entered two of my designs to Bead & Buttons Magazine and was published in their October 2007 monthly issue.

The adventure continued when we went to Hawaii were I belonged to the “Made in Hawaii guild”. We spent many weekends with other artists selling my one of a kind artwork to the locals and tourists in Waikiki.

Finally, we moved to West Pensacola, Florida. Just a stones throw from Perdido Key which is where I belong to a small and wonderful gallery composed of 13 artists. Here I had the time to devote to making designs for the locals and the tourists and perfect my wonderful shop on etsy. Every day there is growing success from customers here in the United State to places in Europe and the Far East.

Veronique has graduated from simple designs to some absolute showstoppers that must be seen to be believed!  Her one of a kind pieces can be checked out her Etsy shop and HandmadeSpark for some major eye candy.  You will not regret it!