ARTIST STATEMENT
My original bead woven jewelry is made to celebrate the unique style of the individual, from simple elegance to bold fashion statement. Each piece of jewelry is
stitched one bead at a time using the highest quality materials with great attention to detail.
My background in tapestry weaving and graphic design adds another dimension to the process. I use a variety of bead weaving techniques and materials to create intricate layers of color and texture –
like painting with beads. My jewelry designs are inspired by both the precise style of mathematics and the freeform style of nature - aligning the beads in a specific pattern or just letting the
design flow from within and allowing the colors and shapes of the beads to dictate the direction of the piece. Each piece is an exciting discovery in my attempt to bring a new perspective to an
ancient art form. Structural soundness is an integral part of my design process, for a piece intended for permanence.
AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS
Best of Show Rockford MI Art in the Park 2021
Best of Show Suttons Bay Art Fair 2021
West MI Regional Art Competition Finalist 2021
Honorable Mention 2020 West MI Regional Art Competition
2018 Best of Show - Sutton's Bay Art Fair
West MI Regional Art Competition Finalist 2018
Bead Dreams Finalist 2017
West MI Regional Art Competition Finalist 2017, 2 Necklaces
Published 'Beaders Handbook 2017
Bronze Medal for Marchesa - Fire Mountain Gems Contest 2015
Best of Show Gallery Award 2015 East Lansing Art Fair
West Michigan Regional Art Competition 2015 Finalist (2 necklaces)
Second Place - Traverse City Outdoor Art Fair 2014
Bead Dreams Competition Finalist 2014- Bead and Button Magazine 'Della Robia'
Fourth Place-West Michigan Regional Art Competition 2014
Lark Publishing has chosen my 'Sunset Blossoms' necklace for publication in '500 Art Necklaces' ( July 2013).
First Place - Levis Commons Art Show, Perrysburg, OH 2013
Honorable Mention - Traverse City Outdoor Art Festival 2012
West Michigan Regional Art Competition 2012 -Judges Recognition Award
Published 'Creative Beadweaving Vol. 7' by Kalmbach Publishing July 2012'
Lakefront Art Show ‘First Place Wearable Art’ Michigan City, IN 2011
Judges Award East Lansing MI Art Festival 2011
Published ‘Crystal Bud Earrings' Bead and Button Magazine, June 2012 Issue . (Read more about the kit here)
Published ‘Jewelry Trends’ Magazine Back Cover 2011
Published ‘Beadwork’ Magazine Back Cover June/July 2011 Issue
Grand Rapids Press
Article
Published in ‘Jewelry Designs with Art Glass Beads’ October 2009
Artprize Grand Rapids Participant -An International Competition, 2010 to 2018
Grand Prize Gold Medal 2010 for ‘Contessa’ Necklace- Fire Mountain Gems Contest
Gold Medal 2010 ‘Mercedes’ Necklace - Fire Mountain Gems Contest
West Michigan Regional Art Competition 2010-5th
Place
Award of Excellence - Saugatuck Waterfront Fine art Fair 2010
Bead Dreams Competition Finalist 2008 ‘Bead and Button Magazine
Bead Dreams Competition Finalist 2009‘Bead and Button Magazine, 2nd Place Crystal
Bead Dreams Competition Finalist 2010‘Bead and Button Magazine
Award of Excellence Art & Apples Festival, Rochester, MI 2009
Purchase Award - Petoskey, MI, Art in the Park
2008
‘Rainforest’ Necklace -Finalist in the Convergence Traveling Exhibit 2009-sponsored by the
ISGB and Bead and Button Magazine (October 2009)
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