I have been creating art in one form or another all of my life but beads have always been my passion. I have used pencil drawing, watercolor, mixed-media collage and rubberstamping to express myself. Some of my rubberstamped/mixed-media work has been published in rubberstamp magazines, but I have always returned to beads and jewelry design.

My fascination with beads began when I was about 10. As soon as the local mall opened a bead shop I was hooked! Wood beads and seashells strung with signs of the zodiac were how I began.

My family and I had a lot of access to art communities living in Huntington Beach, California. Surf City! We were only 20 minutes from Laguna Beach which was (and still is) known for the local artists. Every summer Laguna sponsers a big community art fair including the Sawdust Festival, Pagaent of the Masters and the Art a Fair.

It was at the Sawdust Festival where I first watched the man in the giant cage blow amazing colors of glass into beautiful objects. I could stand there for hours pressed up against the hot cage watching (unfortunatley for my family!).

I always knew someday I would work with glass. By the time I was in my 20's (in the 80's) styles had changed and jewlery design was all about the big plastic neon look. I sold a lot of this but never loved it. I worked alot of different jobs from sporting goods buyer, receptionist, make-up artist and Human Resources in the corporate world. Still I always managed to find buyers for the creations I loved making in my spare time.

4 years ago I finally took my first lampworking class and began learning the art of glass bead making. Two years ago I took my first workshop to learn the art of working with fine silver. I have taken many classes and workshops since then.  Recently, a ring I made of fine silver was featured in Kate McKinnon's book, Structural Metal Clay.  I hope you love the pieces I create as much as I love making them.

Every piece is special and original. I use only fine or sterling silver. I enjoy beads from nature or that are handmade. You will find some of my pieces include gemstones such as turquiose, garnet, opal, amethyst, carnelian and apatite. Most of my work consists of fine silver and lampwork glass that I have made in my studio. Please check back often and thank you so much for your interest.

You can also find me at www.etsy.com

Stacey







Me! photo credit: David Peterson