Local handmade jewelry designer Lynne Blackerby brings to her work two decades of travel, an adventurous spirit and a keen attention to detail. Although the flight attendant always had an appreciation for arts and crafts, it wasn't until six years ago, while on a layover in Spokane, Wash., that she stumbled across a small bead store and began to recognize her interest in jewelry.
"My entire life seemed to build up to this," says Blackerby, who comes from a family of artists. "I put my finger on the key to my soul's happiness."
Blackerby now spends hours picking out precious and semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls, and Swarovski crystals to create her designs.
"I want to design classics," she says. (She also researches the healing properties of the stones she uses.)
Her pieces sell for $40 and up and have been featured at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Blackerby also sells her wares at shows throughout the year; she'll be at the University of Richmond's Arts Around the Lake show on Sept. 21.
For more information, visit lynneblackerby.com , e-mail lynneblackerby@comcast.net or call 762-4646