Making beaded jewelry is my second career. I was a professional ceramic sculptor for 47 years. I have been making jewelry for several years before my retirement from ceramics.

I became interested in traditional beadwork. I had a teacher that was making beaded art work. My interest was in making wearable jewelry, so I learned several types of beading and with those techniques, I designed and constructed the jewelry I am making today.

The traditional techniques I use include, an African derived stitch called Ndebele. I also use a “right angle weave” to make beaded beads, a stitch that can cover wooden beads. Some of the necklaces use a Crochet technique where each bead is looped into each stitch. I also incorporate beaded embroidery that enables me to make ”pictures”. I have also on some pieces used the Peyote stitch derived from American Indian jewelry.

My jewelry has been shown in local art fairs and in several private showings.