As a small-batch jeweler, I incorporate the historical craftsmanship of bead making into handmade contemporary jewelry. I design glass beads to create pieces with modern shapes, textures, and colors. The creative process begins with drawing out shapes, incorporating design elements, and selecting color combinations. These shapes and designs come from studying glass beads through history and jewelry design in different countries. I’m particularly drawn to beads from the early to mid-20th century.  

Each piece begins with a glass bead as an inspiration. Other components are then brought in to examine how light, texture, and color intersect, creating unexpected combinations. They include specialized glass beads I design, clay beads and components made in my studio, vintage beads, and semi-precious gems. My work incorporates wire wrapping, soldering, constructing beaded chains, making pendants, and manipulating beads with wire including making bead clusters.

My collection also features glass beads hand curated from around the world, including Italy, Bohemia, France, and Japan. I personally travel to these countries to meet with their artisan bead makers to hand select beads.  

Combining beads from different countries, each with its own distinct style, offers a unique perspective on glass beads and how they can be used to create modern pieces.

I’m inspired by the traditional craftsmanship that has gone into bead making for hundreds of years and seek ways to keep it alive.