spotlight
Cara Young
Artist, jewelry designer, nature lover
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photo by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography
t the heart of Cara Young’s jewelry is nature. From the time she was a toddler, relatives have instilled in her a love of art and the environment. “My parents raised [my two brothers and me] to be exposed to lots of different things,” says the 28-year-old WTAMU graduate. “Family would always give me books about watercolors and artists. They noticed it was a desire of mine and they really tried to motivate me.” While visiting family in Tucson a few years ago, Cara developed a close relationship with her grandmother’s friend, a bead maker, who passed the trade down to Cara. “I really wanted to learn [bead making] and she extended that opportunity to me,” Cara recalls. “It was just a really cool experience. She taught me a lot about clay and about life.” Finding inspiration in nature and using beads from all over the globe, Cara molds, glazes and fires her own clay. Outside of work and her hobby, Cara participates in a book club and contributes to an organic food co-op. am
Q&A My friends and family call me… Caratam. It’s my first name and maiden name turned into one word. Or just Cara. The most famous or interesting person I’ve ever met is… I think that all people are interesting! You just have to take the time to get to know them to find out. My go-to stress reliever is… a glass of wine, playing pool, spending time with good, old friends or running. One of my favorite childhood toys was… I don’t really remember having a favorite toy. I liked to play outside as often as possible which taught me about the world and its workings. I found the nests of field mice, watched birds grow from eggs, witnessed the change of seasons in the fruit trees. You may be surprised to know that I… can chop my own firewood, sort of. I just learned and last time I hit myself in the leg with a sledge hammer. But I keep practicing.
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Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • May 2011
If I were a character in a book, I would be… the Lorax from the Dr. Seuss story. He was a voice for those who did not have a voice and persistent even when he was discouraged.