Miranda Designs Steps Out in Style

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Design

Sunday, 29 April 2012 02:30

By D Francis

Antigua St John's - "I am very excited, happy, proud... all the words you can use to describe something great. I am feeling all that and more.”

That was the reaction from local jewelry designer Miranda Askie to news that one of her top designs - a necklace called “Bella” - has made its way onto the back page of Beadwork, an international magazine.

It features captivating original designs and techniques ranging from seed beading, to wirework, mixed media, and much more. 

"My sister came home, and gave me a envelope," she said. "Although I saw it was Fedex, I thought nothing of it, and I opened it and saw the magazine and was turning the pages. Then this card fell out and it read congratulations, and the rest is history. I screamed and thought wow, this is great. I had no idea. Now looking back, the company, in speaking with them, did ask me for my mailing address.”

Askie said she received the news with pride, and although she is proud of her work, her satisfaction goes much further. 

“I am very pleased that it has reached the cover, not only for me as an individual, but for Antigua and Barbuda as well," she said.

"As you would have noticed, below the piece it features my name and also that of Antigua and Barbuda, so we are on the international map in beading designs/local art, and for it being one of my top designs that is on there, I’m excited and very happy.

About a year ago, “Bella” placed Askie as of the finalists in the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads Jewellery-Making Contest in the US, featuring Swarovski elements.

When asked what had become of this masterpiece, she said "Bella," along with another of her top pieces, caught the eye of a major US interior designer last month, and he bought the two on the spot at the airport as he was heading home.

She said she is very proud of her achievements, since she started in the jewellery making field back in 2004.

“A lot of interest is being generated in my pieces," Askie said. "Actually, I am making preparations to enter another contest shortly. I am not quite sure yet what I am going to call this piece, but it’s something vintage because the colour scheme I was using reflects that. I am doing the finishes touches, it’s looking great already.”

Askie said she has an interest in giving back to charity, and will continue to do so as she excels. The latest charity to receive a cheque from Miranda Designs was the Amazing Grace Foundation.

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