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Click to Enlarge 		Carolyn Fiene
From Stateline, NV


Tell us your story.
When the crowds shouting "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" were told to be silent, Jesus said, "If these become silent, the stones will cry out!" (Luke 19:40) Carolyn Fiene feels that this is what is happening through her wire artistry. The stones she uses in her wire art convey the message of God's abundant love through Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Much of what Carolyn makes incorporates this Gospel message through the color of the stones and beads she uses: Black represents sin; Red symbolizes the saving blood of Jesus; White pronounces forgiveness and purity; Green speaks to growth in the Lord; and Gold shines with eternal hope.
Carolyn has been collecting rocks as far back as she can remember; her home and yard are filled with beautiful specimens from around the globe. But it has only been since February of 2003 that Carolyn has been able to turn her love for rocks into wire-wrap jewelry and gift items. Many artists have had to work hard to get wire to cooperate with their intentions. Carolyn says God has given her an instant talent for wire art. Though her techniques and procedures continue to improve, she's still proud of that first piece of jasper she turned into a pendant, and she still receives compliments when she wears it.
Don and Carolyn live at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary August 7, 2005. Don has supported Carolyn's wire art every step of the way. They have two grown children, Michelle and Jonathan. Jonathan grew up rock hunting with his mom and Michelle gladly wears her mom's jewelry for 'quality control.'
Carolyn has collected and loved M. I. Hummel figurines almost as long as she's loved rocks. Several years ago they turned their large family room into a retail shop specializing in Hummels. They also display Carefree Frogs, which Carolyn has been making for over 30 years. Don's wood working talents, combined with Carolyn's painting, result in many unique gift items. When Carolyn retired from her career in educational research, she proceeded to rearrange the shop to include Lord's Treasures - her unique wire art jewelry, gifts, ornaments and ornament hangers, sun catchers and her special 'winter deciduous' wire trees on rocks or driftwood.
Hindsight is such a blessing. Carolyn can see so many things throughout her life that led up to her wire art. Of course there was the rock hunting and Carolyn's long-standing appreciation for fine jewelry. Then there was her first summer job as a teenager, working for a jeweler where she learned to properly open jump rings. Her grandmother taught her to spool knit with string, which proved invaluable as Carolyn learned to spool knit with wire. Carolyn's wire art is truly where God given talent met God given treasures!
Though many of Carolyn's pieces have the Gospel theme, she also creates numerous other lovely items. Her wire art has been such a blessing to her, and she hopes many others will be blessed by it.

Where do you sell your jewelry? Do you have any tips on selling there?
www.lordstreasures.com and donations to church fund raisers as well as doing home shows and conducting workshops. Since I have a tremendously prolific inventory, I try to match the items displayed with the event. For instance, at church fund raisers the majority of my items come from our Gospel Collection. At home shows I try to match the items to the tastes and income levels of the anticipated attendees. For workshops I would mostly display items in the same category as the one being taught. For instance, if I teach ring making, I would display all the types of rings that I have made.

I'm really not doing it to make money, but thought I'd check to see what I made last year. I conducted one wire working workshop and sold over $450 with no extra effort. As a fund raiser for our church I held a silent auction and raised over $500. My husband and I have both had some serious health issues which required doctor and hospital care. I always took some of my items (mostly link bracelets on a shower curtain hook - easily tucked in my handbag) and now I realize that I sold over $1300 this way! I was amazed!

What's your biggest selling piece and why?
Gospel rings have been my biggest seller. Incorporating the Gospel gemstones in my designs makes them totally unique. I make several different styles, all of which can be viewed on our website: www.lordstreasures.com. Select Gospel Items and then Rings to see these specific items.

What one piece of advice can you give to other aspiring jewelry makers?
Practice, practice, practice ... and don't throw away your 'failures'. The piece may 'speak' to someone else and they might purchase it. This happened to me a few times while I was developing my skills.

Have you quit your day job yet? Can you give us any idea how much income your jewelry is making?
I started my wire art while I was still working in educational research. I have since retired because of age and various physical limitations. My wire art is not a money making venture but an avenue for spreading the Gospel and sharing what Jesus means in my life. Jesus loves me and is with me always ... He loves you and wants to be the CEO of your life also!

What would you say to someone that might be hesitant to invest in Preston's course?
You have to start somewhere and Preston Reuther does an excellent job of teaching on his videos. It is very beneficial to actually see someone doing the steps rather than just seeing still pictures and instructions.

Has jewelry making changed your life in any way?
Wire art has brought me great contentment. I find this to be a wonderful time for meditation and prayer. I believe it has enhanced my walk with the Lord.

Do you sell any of your work on line or on Ebay? Do you do well there?
Not yet. In the past I've sold many Hummels on eBay - both Berta Hummels and M. I. Hummels, and I did very well. So far I have not attempted to sell any of my wire art on eBay.

What's your plan for the future?
My plan for the future: continue to seek God's guidance every step of the way. Though so far we have not sold much on our Lord's Treasures website, www.lordstreasures.com , I believe that those who visit our site see God's name proclaimed, and that's what it is all about for me.