My entire life has been full of creative influences and artistic work.  My mother was a painter so perhaps I inherited her "artistic eye" and my grandfather was also a talented artist.  In the past I have painted, knit, crocheted, sewed, created quilts, etc. but when I was introduced to lampworking in early 2000, the creation of glass beads with molten glass, I truly discovered my passion and joy!  I was hooked and have been since that time.  And to use my own glass beads to create items of jewelry that are worn by others with pride, provides the utmost artistic satisfaction. To create beads that other people use in their own creations also is very rewarding for me as an artist.

My customers are individuals who love the colors and designs that I create.  The name of my business "Beaver Island Jewelry" is very intriguing to folks.  Because of my love of Beaver Island, in northern Michigan ("Up North" as we like to say here in Michigan), I have adopted the name for my business.  Beaver Island is a very unique place and helps me focus on those wonderful colors such as blues from Lake Michigan (I'm sure you'll notice all my blue beads!), lavenders and pinks from the sunset over Donegal Bay, greens and blues from the marshes and light brown, golds or ivory from the sand beaches. See my special Beaver Island Memories charm bracelet, necklace and memory beads.   

My experience includes several different jewelry-making classes and many hours of classes in glass lampwork from nationally-known artists. Credit goes to all the following folks who I have had classes from but also to people I have met here in Michigan and on web bulletin boards who share their many diverse talents.  My mentor and first tutor in about 2000 was Mari Johnson who sells her beautiful lampwork beads at her store, Blue Fire Beads, in New Lenox, Illinois. I also had a two day class with Ginny Sycuro who is another nationally-known bead artist, residing in Colorado.  In May 2003 I took a day long class in California with Patti Walton who is well known for her aquarium beads and lovely flower garden beads. In February 2004 I took a two-day class in sculptural glass from Sharon Peters--I learned all about the wonderful and wacky!  A three-day class in October 2004 with Stevi Belle taught me how to make "ancient" vessels and how to utilize frits and finishes in my work.  I learned wirework techniques by Janice Birkabile (Wired Art) and wired pendants and daped bracelets with Kriss Silva--each in day long classes in February 2007. In September 2007 I took a two day class on Low Tech Metalworking Techniques from Anne Mitchell and Kate McKinnon. This class covered fine silversmithing and precious metal clays (PMC) and working in a less harmful (to the artist and the environment) way.  In February 2008 I took a two day class with Andrea Guarino-Slemmons. In April 2008 I took a six day long class from a master artisan-glassmaker, Lucio Bubacco, on the island of Murano, Italy, the heart of glass beadmaking.  This was glassmaking off the mandrel. 

I am a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB), Northern Lights (Michigan), The Guild of Artists and Artisans (a sponsor of the Ann Arbor Art Fair), The Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild, Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana Society of Glass Lampworkers and Artists (ISLAGA).