About Jewelry

This section presents images of some of my beadwork. I have been beading for almost 15 years. It started with walking into a local bead shop in California. At the time I thought I was interested in learning to work with polymer clay, and since the shop was offering classes, I went there to sign up for one or two. I decided to also take a beading class, since they were offering several and the classes weren't terribly expensive. That was the first step.

Within a year I had nearly stopped working with polymer clay (although I have never lost my admiration for many of the superb artists and jewelry designers who work in this medium) and instead was thoroughly hooked on beads, and indeed had already spent at least $2500. About this time I changed my business name to reflect more of my interest in art and jewelry design, with less emphasis in my other interests.

Most of my work features tiny glass beads from Japan and the Czech Republic. I also use stone cabachons, Swarovski Crystal beads, freshwater pearls, glass buttons and cabachons, and semiprecious beads.

All the techniques I use are generally referred to as "off-loom bead weaving." They include peyote stitch, herringbone, right-angle weave, and various spiral stitches. Some techniques and designs I have learned from instructors and designers; three of my favorites are Leslie Frazier, Suzanne Cooper, and NanC Meinhardt.