Artist: Cheryl McClure

I was born in Quincy, Massachusetts. When I was thirteen, my family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where I lived until 2002 when I married a wonderful man who is a retired Detroit firefighter.

For twenty years I worked as an Assistant Director of a residential facility that helped children who were abused, neglected and removed from their parents' home. I decided to return to college in 1992. It took me a few semesters to decide on a major. In 1997 I received my degree in Visual Arts with a focus in Ceramics. I continued for another three years and earned my Masters in Special Education.

         In May of 2002, after my marriage, we moved to Petoskey, Michigan. I am very happy that I made my home in Petoskey. In August, 2002 I started teaching beautiful children with special needs in middle and high school. I was very happy teaching until my daughter brought a baby boy (grandson) into the world. Since she lived in California, I knew I needed time off to visit my daughters' family. I resigned my position with regrets.

         I love being retired. I have always been a workaholic and it was nice to slow down. I would like to earn a modest income using my creative ideas to make interesting, multi-textured designs. I started creating jewelry using the stringing technique and soon started experimenting with other materials. I am broadening my interests to include glass seed beads and different types of metals such as SS, GF, brass, pewter and copper (my favorite) along with stringing.  I am now using more intricate designs. I like creating pieces of art that catch the observer's attention and hold it.

I create jewelry, quilts and multi-media pieces using yarn, paper, other fibers, metal, beads, semi-precious stones, and clay. I hope that you enjoy my jewelry and fiber art. I feel extremely priviledged to be among the many talented artists who display their artwork at the Artist Market.