Artisan Spotlight
Artisan Feature – Jennifer Bevan, Micromosaic Jewelry Artist!
Jewelry Design and Photos by Jennifer Bevan
Jennifer Bevan makes jewelry that tells a story—one filled with history, heart, and creative joy. What started as a love for stained glass slowly turned into a passion for micromosaics, fueled by a lot of trial, error, and curiosity. Her pieces are tiny, detailed, and full of intention. And behind it all is a deeper purpose: Jennifer donates a portion of each sale to the animal rescue where she adopted three of her cats—bringing art and compassion together in a beautiful way!
“If you are creating from your true authentic voice, you will always have a market.”
Please tell us a little about yourself!
Jennifer: My name is Jennifer, and I live in Orlando, Florida, with my husband and four rescue kitties. I’ve always had a passion for art and began working with glass 25 years ago after taking a stained glass class. From there, I transitioned into mosaics, eventually focusing on micro-mosaics. I love the challenge of working with tiny, detailed pieces—especially in jewelry design.
How long have you been creating your unique jewelry/art?
Jennifer: I began making micromosaic jewelry in 2019, learning through trial and error. At the time, there weren’t many instructors teaching this dying art form. I watched countless YouTube videos, studied photos, read blogs—anything I could find to develop my skill set.
Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to study in Ravenna, Italy, which was an amazing experience. Not only did I learn about the history of micromosaics (which dates back to the 16th century), but I also learned how to melt glass using a torch to create custom colors and shapes.
I challenge myself to work with smaller and smaller pieces of glass in each jewelry design—some pieces of filati glass I use can be as thin as a strand of hair!
How do you approach the design process for your art/jewelry pieces? Do you have a specific creative routine or method?
Jennifer: My design process is honestly very spontaneous. I believe you can find inspiration in anything around you—you just have to stay open-minded. Meditation helps me calm my mind, stay present, and let go of perfection.
Mistakes are always learning opportunities that can spark new creative ideas and concepts.
Did you face a learning curve with any specific technique/material (e.g., resin, metal stamping, epoxy resin)? How did you overcome it?
Jennifer: Timing, planning, and preparation are critical when creating micromosaic jewelry. Historically, micromosaic artists used a type of Roman stucco that could take up to a year to cure. This slow curing process allowed artists to create highly detailed images over time, giving them the flexibility to correct errors and make changes before the stucco set.
I use fast-curing Apoxie Clay, so preparation and time management are crucial. I’ve found that planning a series of designs is most effective, as each piece of filati glass is meticulously cut by hand using a diamond file. I precut all the filati glass needed for a collection, which can take several days. This preparation is essential because each tiny piece must be placed by hand to form intricate designs before the Apoxie Clay cures. Having plenty of precut glass ready is key.
Can you describe your process for selecting and preserving materials for your art/jewelry?
Jennifer: Selecting glass is always a fun part of creating a design. Since studying in Italy, I’ve been using more Italian glass. It’s available in the form of pre-pulled filati shapes or smalti that must be melted down and hand-pulled using a torch. Many of the color recipes have been passed down through generations of artists, dating back to the 16th century. The intensity of the colors is consistently rich and incredibly vivid.
I also use murrini glass, some of which is made by friends of mine—fellow glass artists Beth Alongi and Lori Moreno of Wilderness Glass. This type of glass gives a more contemporary feel to the pieces I create.
In the early stages of your creative journey, what choices did you make to support yourself financially?
Jennifer: I started my business with the encouragement of my husband and friends. Initially, I gifted pieces I made to create a network, slowly building a clientele. Any revenues I generated were used to continue my education by taking workshops and art classes (each one, another networking opportunity). My neighbors and friends would save newspapers and boxes for shipping purposes which helped to reduce costs.
Starting out, it was important to have a purpose for creating my work.
I adopted three of my four cats from The Pixel Fund, a volunteer-based animal rescue. I decided to donate a portion of each order to support them. This sense of purpose comforted me, and their social media support has helped me too.
Can you reflect on some of the notable challenges you’ve encountered in running your creative business?
Jennifer: The biggest challenge I have encountered running my business is to make sure that I am creating authentically for me. It is so easy for an artist to become siloed in what is popular or the current fad. If you are creating from your true authentic voice, you will always have a market. Not every customer in the marketplace is your customer and you must be ok with that. If you are creating based on what will sell, you will lose your artistic voice.
Can you tell us about your main venue for selling your creations and how you’ve navigated the challenges and successes associated with it?
Jennifer: My main venue for selling my jewelry is my online Etsy shop. I do plan on expanding into local markets and art shows in the next year, but the online community has been very kind and supportive to me.
Have face-to-face interactions at shows led to follow-up sales on platforms like Instagram or Etsy?
Jennifer: Although my main venue for selling is my Etsy shop, continuous networking has led to follow-up sales on Etsy. Gifting some of my work initially helped to build my clientele and has resulted in many new and repeat clients.
How do you stay creative and motivated during challenging times in your business?
Jennifer: It is difficult when you have a creative block, especially when your business relies on your creativity. I’ve learned to take breaks and rest without feeling guilty. (self-care is not selfish, it is a priority)
Do you have any specific habits or practices that help you stay creative on a regular basis?
Jennifer: Taking breaks allows me to clear my mind. I will try to squeeze in a walk, spend more time in nature, meditate, and practice yoga to reset during the day. I am taking more time to journal and sketch. Sketching helps explore details deeply. Even if I don’t use the concept immediately, I can revisit or expand on it later.
Do you listen to music, audiobooks, or need silence when you create?
Jennifer: Music is a great way to open my mind, so I always listen to it while I create. My creative mood can influence my music choices. I listen to anything from reggae to Spanish guitar!
What do you think are your top three strengths as a creator/business owner?
Jennifer: My top three strengths as a creator/business owner are gratitude, insatiable curiosity, and allowing myself to make mistakes (creating learning opportunities LOL).
How does living a creative life contribute to your overall happiness?
Jennifer: For a long time, I worked in a corporate environment. Eventually, like many others do, I suffered burnout. I decided to make a life change and focus on art. It took me some time to fully tap back into my creativity, but I eventually got there. These days, being creative keeps me present and brings me joy!
Did you have a mentor or role model who influenced your creative journey?
Jennifer: I have several artist friends who have influenced my creative journey, all in different ways. They have lifted and supported me when I needed it and vice versa.
Are there any books you recommend for those aspiring to live a more committed creative life?
- The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
- Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
- Art & Fear: Observation On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles & Ted Orland
What advice would you give someone just starting out in this artform?
Jennifer: My advice for anyone just starting out in micromosaics is to be patient with yourself and allow for mistakes without being overly critical. Your technique improves with every piece you create! I recommend keeping a photo journal of your progress and growth. Reflecting on your work to see your artistic development builds confidence and provides an opportunity to constructively tweak your technique as needed.
You use Nunn Design Jewelry Findings in your work. How did you come to discover Nunn Design, and why do you trust your jewelry to our products?
Jennifer: An artist friend introduced me to Nunn Design. I love the quality of their products, which is very important to me. Every piece of jewelry I make takes so much time to create but I know the quality of the bezels ensures it will be a beautiful piece of wearable art for many years to come. Thank you, Nunn Design!
Thank you, Jennifer, for taking the time to inspire us!
Jennifer’s story is such a beautiful example of what can happen when you follow your curiosity and create from the heart. Her art reflects care, history, and a whole lot of patience—and she’s built something that’s not just meaningful to her, but to the people and causes she supports. It’s the kind of creativity that quietly makes the world a little better.
Connect with Jennifer Bevan:
To view more of Jennifer’s lovely work, visit her Etsy: https://jenniferbevandesigns.etsy.com
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbevandesigns/
Follow her on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferBevanDesigns
Follow her on pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jenniferbevandesigns/
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