I'm a detailed, determined and patient person with a high-energy level. Upon retirement, I knew I needed another avenue in which to be productive and to grow in a different direction. For the past 10 years, I have channeled my energy into designing and creating beautiful flower gardens and unique seashell artwork. My other interests include exercise and genealogy -- all which I am obsessed and passionate about.I began crafting as a Girl Scout and progressed through the years. My first craft hobby was designing and creating macramé plant hangers and wall hangings.
For many years my family vacationed in Marco Island, Florida. Each morning I would walk the beach and gather seashells that washed ashore in mounds. My fascination with the variety and incredible range of colors, patterns, and textures they possessed quickly turned into an obsession. I soon had tons of seashells that I brought home and stored in my "shell studio." I realized I had to do something more than display them in vases, so I began browsing through magazines and gift stores for ideas. After seeing so many seashell creations (and thinking I can do that!) I was inspired to handcraft fine-art shell work.
I don't have any particular favorite pieces, but I am most proud of three beautiful mirrors that I sold to an art gallery.
My goal is to develop a customer base that appreciates beach décor as much as I do. Because I derive so much enjoyment from creating shell art, I would love to create custom items by request.
My message is simple: handmade artisan work is authentic and beautiful.
Meet Lila L. McRainey from Lizone's Jewelry with an Attitude!...
I have an Associates Degree in Graphics Technology. Prior to shows I worked in the graphic arts field for 10 years. I'm the mother of 3 grown men. Former competitive swimmer for 10 years from age 8 to 18. Voracious reader. Fan of all things feline, mom to four rescue cats. Avid gardener.
I've been creating repurposed pieces of jewelry for 25 years, selling at Art Shows exclusively since 1988. I do shows in the Tri-State area, but mostly in wonderful NE Ohio. My business name is a play-on-words for "Lila's own jewelry", pronounced "Li's Own"!
I make crazy, wild costume jewelry from recycled "found objects", mainly reclaimed vintage jewelry combined with clock parts, keys and other oddities for a one-of-a-kind creation with a bit of tongue-in-cheek attitude (or so I've been told!).
I make crazy, wild costume jewelry from recycled "found objects", mainly reclaimed vintage jewelry combined with clock parts, keys and other oddities for a one-of-a-kind creation with a bit of tongue-in-cheek attitude (or so I've been told!).
I have created over 750,000 pieces of jewelry (now THAT'S some major eco-recycling!) in 25 years, and I'm not bored yet and neither are my loyal customers. After silver-smithing for years, I started to play around with vintage jewelry and found objects and received so much enthusiasm over my designs that I switched to assemblage work.
People tell me I have an eye for junk, (that, combined with my inability to throw ANYTHING out, translates into some crazy stuff!). I ABSOLUTELY LOVE creating my jewelry, I still have fun and am always looking forward to making more.
Gee, Mom, look what I did with my art degree!
Gee, Mom, look what I did with my art degree!
Check out these featured vendors at the 2012 West Side Summer Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show. This eclectic show will feature over 170 of the most talented artisans and crafters. A portion of the show's proceeds will be donated to the Cleveland Animal Protective League, for animal rescue.
