With both of her sons grown, Rosalie Hanson of Lexington has devoted the past few years to embracing her longtime interest in art. She experimented with several media before discovering a love of ceramics at Lexington’s Munroe Center for the Arts. Now owner of her home-based Rosalie Hanson Designs, she creates one-of-a-kind neck- laces inspired by nature and her “absolute obsession’’ with 19th-century ornamental patterns.

Q. What makes your necklaces so distinctive?

A. One of my themes is the intricate, vine-like designs of William Morris, and I also use leaves, flowers, acorns, and pine cones to make impressions. I do several layers of glazing to produce complex color gradations and a three-dimensional feel before adding natural stone beads, gemstones, or Czech glass for a little sparkle.

Q. How long do you typically spend on each design?

A. Sometimes I know immediately what I want to do, and other times it can take two or three weeks before it speaks to me about what it wants to be. What looks nice on the table might not lay well on the neck, so I always make little adjustments. Each necklace costs anywhere from $50 to $90, which I think is pretty reasonable.

Q. What inspired you start to a business as opposed to a hobby?

A.I wish I had gone in this direction when I was younger. I got master’s degrees in English literature and Latin, but that was in the old days and I went right into marriage and raised my kids. This gives me such pleasure and joy now that I want to put everything into it.

Q. What has been the most challenging aspect?

A. As someone in her 60s trying to reinvent herself, I have found the self-promotion so daunting. When I was young, it was called bragging, but now you’ve got to do it. My son helped me set up the website and Facebook page. I got business cards and boxes. I never realized everything that went into starting a business.

Q. Why do it then?

A. Finding one’s passion is especially important for women of a certain age who might otherwise become rudderless once they have an empty nest. I hope I can inspire others to seek their own passions and become whatever they can be. You don’t always end up where you think you will, which is part of the journey.

For more information, visit rosaliehansondesigns.com.

Cindy Cantrell may be contacted at cindycantrell20@gmail.com.