About The Artist / Joann Washington
 I am a self-taught artist. My love of the arts and crafts began in grade school. I drew, painted, sewed (thanks Mom), played clarinet, acted, sang, and did whatever else I could that allowed me to express myself creatively. As I matured, I allowed the seriousness of life to overtake me and I pushed my art aside. Thankfully, it didn’t last long, and once I was ready to become more involved with my crafts, I met and apprenticed with Derrick Johnson of D’Antell Designs.
Assisting Derrick with creating his colorful hanging clocks, piqued my imagination to think outside the box, and gave me the impetus to start Washington’s Funktional Designs. I created and embellished home accessories; transforming them into revitalized “funktional” art. This culminated in a one-woman show, “Washington’s Funktional Designs” at the Eubie Blake Gallery in 1998. It featured original watercolor paintings, multi-colored textile wall hangings and trinket boxes adorned with ethnic beads and wooden balls for feet. I began creating jewelry that same year.
I have been blessed to be able to sell my work at festivals and stores, including the Bolton Hill Festival, the Towson African American Festival, Tomlinson Craft Collection, The Waldorf School of Baltimore, Inc., Stef N Ty, and Sibanye. I was also featured in the Baltimore Afro-American Newspapers in May 2000, and am a member of the American Craft Council.
My latest expressions have manifest themselves as beautifully simple, yet funky, sterling silver and bead jewelry that speak to those with discerning tastes. Each SilverWear design is lovingly and thoughtfully handcrafted by yours truly with quality, wearer-friendliness and aesthetic beauty in mind.
See the entire collection Sundays at the Baltimore Farmers’ Market beneath the Jones Falls Expressway from 8am til 12 noon, or feel free to contact me at my studio.
Thank you for visiting SilverWear. We’d love to hear from you today!
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