Carole Shelton

Carole Shelton has been an artist since the age of six when her kindergarten painting was framed and hung on the wall at home. Since then she has been making art in many forms.             

With a degree in interior design, a minor in art, and a master’s degree in clothing and textiles, she put her creative efforts into the practical world of education. As a County Extension Home Economist with Clemson University, she presented home design and remodeling classes, and taught many people to sew. After 25 years with the South Carolina Extension Service in York County, Carole retired. She moved with her husband, Chuck to Tampa, Florida where they live in a waterfront neighborhood near Tampa Bay.

She caught the “jewelry bug” in 2004 when her husband backed out of a metal smith class, and she continued taking the class. Since then Carole has learned many ways to handcraft jewelry, but her favorite method is wire wrapping. Using this method, unusual fossils, stones and interesting objects are made into jewelry by enclosing them in wire. Carole has attended classes sanctioned by The Southeastern Federation of Mineralogical Societies, PMC Connection, and the City of Tampa. She is a member of the Gulf Coast Artist Alliance and the Pinellas Geological Society in Largo, Florida.

Earthbeat Designs was founded in 2005 after friends insisted on buying pendants that Carole had designed. During her college reunion, classmates purchased almost all the jewelry she had packed to wear. Today you may find these one of a kind works at the Bob Campbell Geology Museum in Clemson, South Carolina, Rick's Picks front porch gallery in Dunedin, Florida, the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art in Tarpon Springs, Florida, Roco Traders, ArtLofts, and Florida Craftsmen in St. Petersburg, Florida. Carole also participates in a number of local craft shows around the Tampa Bay area. Additionally, you may ask her to custom design a piece just for you!