Artist Statement

My work is starts simply with a needle and thread, then evolves with the color and texture of thousands of tiny glass beads. Unlike other artistic venues, my art is tactile: it is meant to be worn, handled, touched.

I feel that a combination of natural elements and delicate glass instills a unique energy to each piece that I create. I use glass beads, small semi-precious stones, sterling silver and other basic metals, fresh-water pearls and Swarovski crystals in my work. When working with these materials, I strive to transform imagery into its tangible form - adding weight and texture to each "snapshot".

I enjoy the challenge of abstracting patterns that I notice every day - like the play of light on a glass block window or the shadows buried in steel grooves of an escalator.

My pieces are made from quality materials, from the beads to the stringing material, to the findings that secure the piece when worn. Each piece is designed to be unique in its own way - a small tendril of beads here, a bit of fringe there. It is my wish that you'll enjoy its personality as much as I enjoyed discovering it.

Classes

I offer the following beadweaving classes at local bead stores in the Greater Albuquerque area:

Techniques:

~ Basic Peyote Bracelet ~
~ Tubular Peyote ~
~ Russian Spiral Choker ~
~ Daisy Chain Eyeglass or Name Badge Lanyard ~
~ Herringbone Bracelet ~
~ St. Petersburg Chain Lariat ~
~ Square Stitch Pendant ~
~ Basic Loomed Cuff ~
~ Basic Stringing Lessons ~

Designs:

~ 'Soft, Supple & Shiny Bracelet' (design courtesy of Carol Huber-Cypher)
~ 'Wrap it Up' Peyote Bracelet (11/0-8/0) ~
~ 'Wrap it Up' Peyote Bracelet (11/0-15/0) ~
~ 'St. Petersburg Flip' ~
~ 'Silky Choker' (beaded tube pendant) ~

Projects:

~ Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer" Beaded Quilt ~ (see our local beader contributions to the Jeanette Shanigan's 2010 quilt at shanigansbeadshenanigans.homestead.com/BCQuilt5.html)

Private classes for individual or groups are available upon request. This is a great option for parties and team-building exercises.