About me

As far back as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by the beauty of beads and the opportunity that they offer for expressing creativity.

As a small child I spent countless hours playing with seed beads, or as they were known to me in my native Mexico, "chaquira".  

Expressing creativity has always been a part of my life. Areas of interest have included batik, ceramics, drawing, and pastels painting. 

During 2002 I discovered the accessibility to an incredible variety of beads, and started designing unique pieces of jewelry.

In 2003 I learned about hand made glass beads, also know as flameworked or lampworked glass beads.  I took a class as soon as I could find one and my love affair with molten glass began. My passion for this art form continues to grow with every bead I make.

I have studied under master glass bead artists, and their influences can be seen in my work. 

 

Techniques

I work in the traditional lampwork style for most small forms. 

For larger beads which require lightness, I use a tube to create blown hollow forms. 

I also work off-mandrel using a blow pipe, which provides me freedom to achieve a variety of forms including tubes and non-round shapes.

Other techniques include cold work and acid etch.

 

Materials

When making glass beads I work both with soda-lime and borosilicate glass. 

Depending on the look that I am after I may also use metal foils, enamels, dichroic glass and/or glass frit; these materials will affect the final outcome of the beads.

I then incorporate my hand made glass beads along with fresh water pearls, natural stones, sterling silver and/or brilliant cut crystal to make unique pieces of jewelry.

 

About My Work

My beads range in color and style from colorful and funky to more organic neutral tones with classic designs. 

My jewelry pieces are mostly one of a kind, hand-fabricated using the highest quality materials and workmanship. 

When a design is repeated, it will have subtle differences by the nature of the handmade glass beads. 

My jewelry designs may include chain, wire and/or metal work. 

My focus is to make timeless, beautiful, wearable jewelry pieces that will become treasured heirloom jewelry pieces.