Tack n' Talk
Online Equestrian ResourceArchive for March, 2010
The Art of Jewellery: Interview with Cathy Whitley of CJW Designs
Story by Larissa Cox
We here at Tack n’ Talk had the opportunity to interview equestrian jewellery designer, Cathy Whitley, about her craft. A mature starter to both jewellery design and the equestrian sport, Cathy advises anyone who has an adventurous spirit to try something new, and give it your all, as it may lead to a very fulfilling passion.
Cathy, you have recently dove into equestrian sports and the art of jewellery making. What inspired you to take up these endeavours? Would you say the beginnings of these activities had a similar catalyst?
You could say that wanting to try something new was a catalyst for both-I love starting new projects, and learning to ride and learning to make jewelry were certainly both projects!
When I was forty-something I decided that if I was ever going to learn to ride it was time to start, so I drove around looking for a stable and stopped at the first one that didn’t advertise pony parties. I asked the trainer (who turned out to be a wonderful hunter-jumper trainer and competitor) if she taught adults to ride. She asked if I wanted ride English or Western and when I said I didn’t know the difference, she said “learn to ride English and you’ll be able to ride anything”, and she gave me my first lesson on a 17hand, 26-year-old thoroughbred who had been an Olympic jumper.
A friend who makes jewelry and beautiful quilts taught me the basics of jewelry making. I have always liked making things and putting colors together, but have NO drawing or painting ability. My friend was going to help me restring a broken necklace, and when she brought a huge rolling case full of all kinds of beads and “findings” (earwires, clasps etc) over, I was hooked.
Most of your jewellery seem to be with precious stones. What inspired you to work with these stones?
I started out using glass beads because they tend to be less expensive than – stones (although you can spend a fortune for some gorgeous/fancy glass beads like lampwork). As I became more confident making jewelry I started using more expensive materials like sterling silver, and gemstones just seemed a good match.
What inspired you to incorporate equestrian themes in your jewellery?
Equestrian Cats Eye Necklace
My horse, Silhouette. She’s a beautiful Friesian-thoroughbred cross, and I happened across a horse charm that really reminded me of her. Riding friends liked it too, and encouraged me to make more “horse jewelry”.
Each piece of jewellery seems to be very distinctive and one of a kind in both the blend of colours of the stones and the design. How do you go about the design of each piece?
Different ways. I only buy stones and beads that appeal to me in some way – because of their color, shape, the way they were cut etc. I usually have a general idea what colors and shapes would look good together, and I’ll get a pile of stuff out and lay out a basic pattern, then start altering it. It’s surprising how something that looks good in your head sometimes just doesn’t look good in real life, and alternately sometimes just adding a small accent bead can turn an OK piece into a really interesting piece. Fairly often I’ll lay out a couple of choices and ask my husband which one he likes better, and why.
Wine Tasting Charm Necklace
The hardest way to design is to have an end product in mind – for example, a friend asked me to make a necklace with a particular shark’s tooth, and it took awhile to find stone colors that would work, and figure out a good way to attach the tooth to the necklace.
Your Etsy shop focuses on the theme of horses, nature and the beach…what is the connection between these?
The essence of things? I love animals, especially dogs and horses. I love the outdoors, especially mountains and beaches. I love flowers and plants, and spend lots of time gardening. To me these all have amazing natural beauty and value, and just seem to go together. I think the natural world is incredible, including the amazing variety of gemstones that are just sitting in rocks all over the world.
Starfish Earrings
Do you have a shop as well or is Etsy your main marketing tool?
I don’t have a “B&M” (brick and mortar) shop. I almost gave up on the idea of selling jewelry because the first several shops I approached turned me down for one reason or another. I was lucky to find a funky gallery where the experienced artist owners encouraged me (I still sell jewelry there, Simple Gestures in St Augustine, FL). Since then I have sold at shows and in several shops and galleries. Etsy is great, but it’s hard to generate web business without spending a lot of time marketing.
What suggestions would you have for someone wanting to begin an Etsy or similar business.
GO FOR IT! …but don’t quit your day job… 
Amazonite and Fire Opal Colt Bracelet
For great jewellery, with both equestrian, and non-equestrian themes, check out Cathy’s Etsy shop, CJW Designs! Tack n’ Talk readers will receive 15% off these fantastic pieces!
Interview with the “Wintering Warmer”, Andrea Bingham
Interview by Libby Keenan
Prix St. Georges rider and noted Dressage coach and trainer Andrea Bingham of Harrow, Ontario, Canada opted to move her training base to Florida’s gold Coast this winter.Join us as she shares some perspectives on the experience so far.
Andrea, can you give us some background on your evolution as a rider, trainer and competitor?
I started to take lessons at the age of 12, with Miss Violet Hopkins at the Windsor Equestrian Training Center. I had a 10 year sabbatical when my children were young, but other than that I have kept at my riding. I have had many wonderful horses to ride over the years and worked with some great coaches and clinicians. Life, the love of (all) horses and dressage has shaped me, positively I hope, into the rider and coach that I am today.
Could you tell us a bit about your horse “Voldemort”?
Voldemort is a Dutch Warmblood bred in Canada. He will be 8 this June. He is a delight to own and ride, and has tons of personality!!! He truly is my partner in this sport! He was an unbacked 3 (rising 4 year old) when I purchased him in March 2006. He has ‘fast tracked’ at his work – but he loves it.
You left Canada in mid December. We were already well into winter here. What sort of riding, feeding, training and general care changes did you need to make to help you and your horse adapt to living and working in a much different climate so suddenly?
There were many things to consider and do, in preparing the horses for the trip and helping them to adjust to the new area. First and foremost was finding a place for the horses to live and a place for us to live - that fit the budget!! Before the trip, their work and feed needed to be reduced. I elected to drive them down myself. I had to find places to stay overnight, as I was not prepared to drive straight through. I stopped in Kentucky the first night and Georgia the second. We had to find ways to encourage the horses to drink on the trailer, to prevent them from becoming dehydrated. We were quite resourceful, using flexible buckets as hay ‘bags’ and put wet hay cubes in the bottom. They did remarkably well with this system. The grain that we feed is not available here, so we had to find something comparable to use – and did. The feed store was most helpful in that respect. Hay is incredibly expensive in Florida – I have seen it as high as $34.00 per bale. It is hard to get consistent quality and richness in hay as well. All of this takes a toll on your horse. Once here we had to slowly bring the feed and work up to ‘normal’ level. We were fortunate that the first week we arrived was unseasonably cold for Florida – with temperatures dipping near freezing at night! owever, it quickly went the other way and became unseasonable hot. It took all of January to get him some what acclimatized. Also the sand is a concern. Our horses are not accustomed to the sand and the effects of it in the bowel – I am worried about sand colic!!
Are you taking , clinics, lessons or any special training while in Florida?
I am taking lessons 2 – 3 times per week with Evi Pracht. Also, Jacklyn Courtney Brooks has come down for the two shows and has given me lessons in between.
Several of the world’s top Dressage riders have been there recently competing in the Master’s Competition.Have you been able to watch any of these rides and if so, would you be able to share some highlights with us.
Yes, we were fortunate to be able to see the Masters – the Grand Prix on Thursday and then the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle on Saturday. It was amazing to watch those world class riders in action!! It was also helpful for me to see noted German rider, Ulla Salzgeber not be able to get her horse down the center line. Puts things into perspective, doesn’t it.
We have also had the opportunity to watch Robert Dover schooling the Canadian hopefuls for the World Equestrian Games! That has been very interesting as well.
Guess what – they struggle too!
Are you planning on competing yourself while there?
Yes, I hope to do 5 shows while I am here.
What would you say have been some of the most difficult challenges training so far from home?
The heat has probably been the biggest challenge – but everything contributes. A new barn, different footing, different feed, new show venues, and on and on.
Have you had any chances to travel in the area a bit , sightseeing etc., or had any fascinating experiences you’d like to tell us about?
No sight seeing as of yet – but we do hope to get to Disney World! The Masters and Robert Dover would be the fascinating experiences. Also of course Evi coaches Ashley, so I have tried to be there when Evi is warming her up to compete, to see what they do – how they prepare – what are the easy things and what are the difficult things – fascinating stuff.
What advice would you give someone hoping to train in Florida for the winter , say , next year?
My advice is do it – as soon as you are able. It is such a different horse world to what we have at home! You can do it on a budget. We are not stabled or living in Wellington, but we are just outside and very close to the show grounds (15 minutes).
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your adventure with us. Wishing you and Voldemort the best.
Happy riding. Libby Keenan
Thank you!! Take care – Stay warm – See you at X.
