Carol Gilliland
Carol is a Quincy native, and graduate of QND and Quincy University.
After a career in state and federal service, she and her husband, Bill, retired to Quincy in 2003.
A niece introduced Carol to jewelry making and she loved the opportunity for artistic creativity. Over
the past several years, she has learned an ever widening array of jewelry making techniques.
Carol has taken classes in jewelry making techniques from experts in Albuquerque, and Santa Fe,
Milwaukee, Kansas City and St. Louis. She is also a certified Art Clay instructor.
She has enjoyed teaching jewelry making and seed beading classes at John Wood Community
College.
In 2007, she started her small business, Gem City Jewelry Designs, to market her creations and
custom orders. Carol uses only the highest quality materials in her designs and is committed to
standing behind her workmanship.
I've been attracted to the arts all my life
and tried many different types of artwork
before finding the right one for me. As a
child I loved to draw and enjoyed
individual drawing lessons. Later I
dabbled in oil painting and acrylic
painting. I also tried my hand at some of
the fiber arts. It wasn't until I was
introduced to jewelry making, however,
that I discovered an avenue for artistic
expression that has turned into my
obsession.
I didn't discover jewelry making until
after I retired. While I didn't actually
have much time for being creative during
my working days, the places I've lived
and worked have surely influenced my
outlook. For example, while working in
Washington I spent my share of lunch
hours drooling over the gemstone
exhibits at the Smithsonian's Museums
of Natural History. While living in
Alaska I enjoyed many opportunities to
admire beautiful beadwork and carvings
created by the Alaska natives.
The play of light within faceted precious
gemstones is addictive to many people.
But it's the incredibly numerous rock or
stone beads known as semiprecious
gemstones that really speak to me. I am
inspired by the exquisite colors and
patterns of the natural stone beads. My
motto, adapted from Will Rogers, is that
I've never met a rock I didn't like. I am
constantly looking for new ways to
incorporate my beloved stone beads into
jewelry pieces.
And somewhere along the way, I became
obsessed with learning and practicing
jewelry making techniques. Seed beading
has led to pearl knotting and to
Kumihimo braiding. Wire wrapping has
led to wire fusing and making silver
chain. Making silver clay pendants from
antique buttons has led to metalsmithing.
I think constantly about colors and
designs and what I can make next. I have
no idea where the desire to learn all
these techniques will lead but I'm sure I
will enjoy the journey. And I hope the
people who wear my jewelry will enjoy it
as much I have enjoyed making it.
Carol Gilliland
