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Coming from Hilo on the
Big Island of Hawaii and being part Hawaiian, I feel my culture
has influenced my art tremendously. You may see it in the colors
I blend and in the beads and accents I select.
I have always dabbled
in something artistic, having majored in art and graphic design
in college. Painting, sculpture, wire art, you name it. Twelve
years ago, I picked up my first bead and I was hooked.
Eight years ago, I came
to a crossroads; do I really want to stay in the IT field, or
do I want to do something I really loved doing? Well, you can
guess where that road led.
It has been a challenge,
creating and selling my jewelry full time, but the rewards have
so outweighed any of the obstacles I faced.
I particularly love lampwork
beads, which I use in much of my work. I just love the glass,
and how different and unique each bead is. The possibilities
they offer are endless.
The name of my company,
"E Ala E", means "to Rise", and the term
has been made popular in the song by the late Hawaiian legend,
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. His music has been an inspiration. Hopefully,
my work will bring a little "Aloha" spirit to you
as well, and I hope that you will enjoy my creations as much
as I enjoy making them.
Mahalo,
Debra Shirley, 2010
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