Meet Andrea Beck | Jewelry Artisan

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Beck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I am going to say art and creativity has been pursuing me from an early age! I grew up in a rural area where art wasn’t offered in our school. My mother drove me to the city once a week for art lessons at a studio. My art teacher was a free spirit. We never knew what to expect. I have carried that with me all of my life. It has followed me through my teens from making paper earrings to my love of repurposing with typewriter keys. It was always the perfect fit and what makes me happy, thinking outside the box. It was truly a blessing 21 years ago to discover that a career could be born out of it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is repurposing antique typewriter components, more specifically the keys. I find (with the help of others) typewriters from the early 1900s, non functioning, and I create jewelry and accessories from them. What sets me apart from is a little word not used much today, “moxie”! It ain’t easy! First of all, my component hasn’t been made in about 100 years. There’s the first challenge. Second, there’s a lot involved to making it. Cleaning, cutting, grinding keys. What makes me happy? The final step. Creating. Combining colors, patina, letters etc. I’ve made thousands of pieces and I can almost tell you exactly what I was thinking when I see a piece from the past. I got where I am by not giving up and having self discipline. It was a challenge when my son left and I had to take over a step of the process that I really didn’t like. But, I brainstormed and came up with “my way”. One thing I’m proud of is my interactive display. Children always hear DON’T TOUCH at the antique store. I say DO TOUCH! I want them to learn what a typewriter is and how it works. The theme for a show may be “Let’s type a love letter” or “Tell me about you”. I am a lover of typewriters and I have a collection. Non functioning ones are mostly used for jewelry. One point of great importance, this won’t go on forever. The typewriters are getting harder to find. The vowels control my world! Appreciate the jewelry for what it is. Words are not necessary! Just wear a piece of history!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, that question is a little difficult for me because of logistics and the fact that I am a homebody with the exception of doing events with the jewelry. I live in a rural area, so part of the itinerary would be “goin’ to town”. I would want to take them thrifting aka looking for typewriters. Maybe go to outskirts of Houston. There are great events to shop in Huntsville, specifically, the Rusty Chippy Show and the Huntsville Antique Show. Eating? Sorry folks, I would head east to the great state of Louisiana with a bestie.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could not have been able to fulfill a dream without the help of others. Let’s give a shout-out to that art teacher in Beaumont, Texas, Ruth Borenstein, who would let you draw on the walls if you wanted. And my mother who did everything to cultivate an artistic spirit. 100 percent, my son who started this journey with me at 7 years old. He has hustled typewriters, cut keys, gone to 100s of events and is now an officer in the military. And how could I do this without having a clan of friends that I have made along the way who will search for typewriters for me! I am totally dependant on them and my biggest gratitude lands there. And shout out to the customers who will say I still love my bracelet I got 20 years ago. Encouragement in their words. Lest we forget the BIG shout out to one of the greatest inventions ever…the typewriter.

Website: https://tabtypewriter.square.site

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tabtypewriter

Other: Check my Facebook page for upcoming events where you can get up close and personal with all the items available. There are 100s of pieces available at markets and shows that I participate in within a 100 mile radius of Houston. Also, come and type a thing or two! There is always a typewriter to type on for junior and senior typists!