Over the past 20 years I have worked to develop a style of woven beadwork that celebrates form and function, manifested as both wearable jewelry and sculpture.  The work is extremely intricate and labor intensive in nature, with each bead stitched in place one or two at a time.  There is no use of glue or adhesive; every element is attached to the next using needle and thread. 

In addition to the small glass seed beads that comprise a large percentage of the work, I also work with other unique materials such as custom cut semiprecious stones, shells, glass eyes, computer parts, leather and hardware components.  The dichotomy of delicate beadwork with more striking elements creates a unique complexity and conceptual nature to the work.

In many ways, beadwork has been an under appreciated art because the concept of “beads” is most commonly associated with simple, strung jewelry.  Over time I have learned to build highly structured and geometrically based forms using tiny individual beads, most of which are approximately 1mm in diameter.  Average time spent on each piece varies with size and complexity, but to give you a sense of the labor involved, most of the 3-4 inch sculptural pieces take at least 40 hours to complete and some of the larger jewelry pieces take up to 200 hours to complete.

The theme of “eyes” is a reoccurring theme in much of my work, and actually draws upon ancient traditions in beadwork dating back over 6,000 years.  Image of the eyes were and continue to be used in body adornment as a form of protection for the wearer.  While initially an unsettling image, the eyes are actually an icon of good luck and fortune.  By using both glass doll’s eyes and antique human prosthetics, I have found I have been able to add sense of life to the work.

It is my wish that by recontextualizing beads in these intricate and structural forms, I can help to reinvent the ancient tradition of beads and beadwork in both body adornment and unique sculptural objects.

Just a small selection of the pieces I have made over the past 20 years . . .
   
Psilomalene Mace Pendant (2009)             Yellow Fluorite Eye Flower Creature (2011)

   
Wonderstone Cuff Bracelet (2010)                     Print Stone Creature Cuff (2012)


  
Sea Urchin Ring (2010)                                    Green Fluorite Eyeball Flower Creature (2008)


    
Geodesic Crystal Dome (2008)                         Primitive Origins Collar (1999)


    
Pokeweed Necklace (2009)                   Crystal Burst Bracelet (2002)


   
Psilomalene Mace Creature (2009)                   "The Eyes Have It" Necklace (2003)


   
Beetle Wing Choker (2009)                        Shark Fin Bracelet (2008)


   
Renaissance Revival (2012)                     My Boots (2012)


 
Tiger's Eye Spiked Bracelet (2007)                        Computer Circuitry Board Bracelet (2009)


   
Sonoran Sunrise Eiffel Tower Bracelet (2009)                        Blue Goldstone Eye Mace (2010)



Feather Eye Mace Creature (2009)