Some artists are out there to prove that it's never too late to follow your dreams. Jewelry designer, photographer, and globetrotter Tammy Winand is one of those artists, and her ethnic inspired jewelry line Cryptic Fragments is the culmination of years of world travel and inspiration.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. I'm a 40-year-old artist who has lived in three countries and five US states. Travel inspires my work. As an artist, I seek to build connections between cultures, between the past & present, even between imagined ideas. Over the years I have done everything from polymer clay to mixed media, but now I work mainly in jewelry design, photography, and more recently graphic design. My photography and graphic art tends to be serious, but I have a quirky sense of humor which often shows up in my t-shirt sayings.

How did you get started as a designer? I have been "designing" since childhood, when I would make crayon art to sell to family members. But as an adult, I was introduced to p-o-d companies such as Zazzle, where I can feature my images free of charge.

What inspires your work? I am inspired by any number of things, but always an awesome wide open landscape, the remains of a ruined ancient monument, or exploring ancient and foreign cultures.

Who are your favorite designers? I am inspired by artists from all media, so it's hard to name any one favorite. I have been greatly influenced by southwestern Native American artists such as the Namingha family (Hopi) and many Navajo jewelry designers and Pueblo potters.

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? To be honest, I'm really into comfort more than fashion. I am most at home in jeans & t-shirts, and have been known to paint my own clothes. I do have a passion for ethnic jewelry, especially Native American, Afghani or Turkoman.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers? It may sound cliche, but don't give up. I am entirely self-taught and have only recently begun pursuing this as a career path. It requires a lot of work and promotion, just like any other job. But if you have a unique vision, quality products, and can get people interested, you always have a chance to succeed!

Where can people find your work? My ethnic-inspired jewelry is available at crypticfragments.etsy.com. I have 11 Zazzle galleries which feature various aspects of my style, but the largest ones and ones I am most proud of are www.zazzle.com/crypticfragments which includes a large selection of travel photography, www.zazzle.com/TamsTees and www.zazzle.com/WesternSkies where all the Native-inspired designs can be found.

Anything else? My art blog, Art on the Edge, is constantly being updated with new designs, as well as information on promotions. I'd love to invite everyone to stop by and leave me links to their own creative work. Artists have to support and encourage one another! And, of course, thank you for allowing me to introduce my work to you!



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