Our Artistsgain a little insight into the creative and their craft...
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Brenda Brown
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Brenda has lived all her life amongst the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest; from Washington to Alaska and British Columbia. She and her family have journeyed together in the adventure of living in remote parts of the North Pacific Coast.
Brenda has a BS degree in Human Development and Elementary Education. She enjoys working with children of all ages (including adults!) and is actively involved in her local school and church community, and in volunteering in several organizations in Prince Rupert. Brenda is inspired daily by Creation and enjoys the challenge of expressing her love of color and texture in nature with watercolour, ink, oils, acrylic, photography and pressed flowers. She has been painting since 2000. More recently she has been working with metals, creating jewelry from recycled copper, silver, aluminum and brass. Her work is in private collections around the world and on display at the Ice House Gallery in Prince Rupert, BC. |
Cecilia Grayson
Cecilia Grayon is owner/designer of Tribes. She has over 35 years of experience in the fashion industry as an entrepreneur, designer and educator. She is the owner of a pattern design business called "Accufit Patterns" since 2000 doing free-lance patterns for many designers and manufacturers in Vancouver. She was also an instructor in the Fashion Arts Program at Vancouver Community College for 5 years before relocating to Prince Rupert in 2012.
Rosalie Temple is the thirteenth daughter of the well-established Nisga'a artist, Murphy Stanley Senior. She was born in Prince Rupert and a member of the killer whale clan. Rose attended and completed various programs at colleges in B.C. on art, fashion and design. She started her teachings of art and culture at the Kaien Island Friendship Society, honoring her ancestors by passing on her knowledge to others. "Tribes" combines her beautiful drawings of first nations art with well-styled clothing.
Tribes evolved when Cecilia and Rosalie's talent connected while volunteering for the Salmonfest celebration in 2014, working on the quilt that consists of many first nations house crests, which is raffled off annually.
"Tribes" is a collection of north-coast first nations inspired fashions and accessories. It is a collaboration of art, exceptional fitting and unique details, all styled with movement. The focus is on integrating culture and nature of the North Coast with modern and sophisticated elements.
Rosalie Temple is the thirteenth daughter of the well-established Nisga'a artist, Murphy Stanley Senior. She was born in Prince Rupert and a member of the killer whale clan. Rose attended and completed various programs at colleges in B.C. on art, fashion and design. She started her teachings of art and culture at the Kaien Island Friendship Society, honoring her ancestors by passing on her knowledge to others. "Tribes" combines her beautiful drawings of first nations art with well-styled clothing.
Tribes evolved when Cecilia and Rosalie's talent connected while volunteering for the Salmonfest celebration in 2014, working on the quilt that consists of many first nations house crests, which is raffled off annually.
"Tribes" is a collection of north-coast first nations inspired fashions and accessories. It is a collaboration of art, exceptional fitting and unique details, all styled with movement. The focus is on integrating culture and nature of the North Coast with modern and sophisticated elements.
Christine Haubrick
Christine Haubrick currently lives in South Surrey, BC, having just recently moved from Prince Rupert. Born and raised in Smithers, BC, she has resided in communities throughout the province as well as Ottawa, ON.
Ever since she can remember, Christine has always been interested in artistic expression in a variety of modalities that include drawing, painting, mixed media, textile art, interior decor, and landscaping.
Although she has never had any formal art education, Christine has always sought sources of inspiration and learning from other artists willing to share their expertise.
The majority of Christine's art has been created from inspiration provided by the special places and people who have had an influence in her life.
Ever since she can remember, Christine has always been interested in artistic expression in a variety of modalities that include drawing, painting, mixed media, textile art, interior decor, and landscaping.
Although she has never had any formal art education, Christine has always sought sources of inspiration and learning from other artists willing to share their expertise.
The majority of Christine's art has been created from inspiration provided by the special places and people who have had an influence in her life.
Claudia Stewart
Coming Soon...
Cynthia Powell
Cynthia Powell appreciation for the Canadian landscape is rooted in her childhood memories of summers spent at her grandmother's cottage on Lake Huron. While rocks, water, trees and sky were transformed daily by the weather, she spent hours drawing them and often contributed to the artwork displayed on the cottage wall. After moving west she competed a degree in geography in Victoria then worked as a weather observer at several stations including Cape St. James in Haida Gwaii. These experiences heightened her love for the outdoors. Landscapes dominate most of her paintings, which are influenced by the beauty of B.C. and the character of its small northern communities. She currently live in Terrace B.C. with her two daughters and two cats. In her spare time she works at the local airport, where the view is inspiring.
Debbie Ziegler
Debbie Ziegler was born in Victoria BC, but has lived and worked in Terrace for a large portion of her life. In 2006 she took a few pottery lessons with the Clay Artists of Terrace Society, and soon became a member. She now teaches beginner wheel lessons at the Studio. She finds inspiration through nature, and the many different textures it provides. Debbie enjoys incorporating some kind of texture in most of her pieces such as the way its trimmed, by adding leaves and berries, stamping or rolling. Debbie's other interests are fishing, gardening, painting, travelling and rock collecting for her little pottery birds.
Debra Strand
Debra was raised in Prince Rupert, left for University and returned for work. Not planning to stay long she fell in love with kayaking and has spent countless hours exploring waters surrounding this beautiful little community. This is where her inspiration primarily comes from.
Having learned to sew in school and making primarily clothing, a local quilting class opened the door to this new realm. It wasn't until a few years later, after attending art school during a sabbatical from her professional life and her young children were in school that she was really able to put it all together and see what happens. Each art quilt is an exploration.
Debra also enjoys sewing a variety of more functional items from small coin purses and unique messenger bags to larger, functional modern quilts.
Debra has exhibited in the Ruth Harvey Art Gallery and the Terrace Art Gallery. Her work has found homes all over the world.
Having learned to sew in school and making primarily clothing, a local quilting class opened the door to this new realm. It wasn't until a few years later, after attending art school during a sabbatical from her professional life and her young children were in school that she was really able to put it all together and see what happens. Each art quilt is an exploration.
Debra also enjoys sewing a variety of more functional items from small coin purses and unique messenger bags to larger, functional modern quilts.
Debra has exhibited in the Ruth Harvey Art Gallery and the Terrace Art Gallery. Her work has found homes all over the world.
Dyan Mhyr
Dyan Mhyr is a self taught North coast artist residing in Terrace, B.C. Her work is heavily influenced by the wonderful colours and contrasts found in nature's tapestry. Dyan belongs to a number of art groups, including the North Coast Artist's Cooperative, and the Federation of Canadian Artists. She has shown throughout B.C. and has merited a number of awards. Her work can be found in various private collections throughout North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and New Zealand. Some galleries showing her work are the Terrace Art Gallery, The Ice House Gallery and the Federation Gallery on Granville Island in Vancouver, B.C.
Kate Cope
Kate Cope was born in Liverpool England, and moved to Canada in 1981. She is now living in Prince Rupert, BC. She studied millinery at Mable Fletcher Tec. Collage, and has made and sold hats, bags, knitware, soft sculpture dolls in galleries around BC. She has enjoyed knitting since she was seven years old and has made baby clothes for the Prince Rupert Hospital Auxiliary for the past twenty years. Many of the fruit hats have hand made embelishments sewn on and are made to fit up to six months.
Ken Howes
Ken Howes was originally from Port Ed, B.C. He now lives in Terrace, B.C. and usually comes down during the summer for fishing. His carvings are usually cottonwood bark as he liked the thickness of them and occasionally uses cedar. Ken has a big personality, which ends up being shown through his carvings. Each artwork is unique and different. Ken's work is well detailed, he makes sure to spend quality time with each carving to give it its special touch.
Ken Nichols
Ken Nichols is a First Nation's artist, that has been carving his entire life. He is Kaska Dena and a member of the Liard First Nations in Watson Lake, Yukon. He is from the Wolf Clan. Their territory is in parts of the southeast Yukon, southwest Northwest Territories and northeast British Columbia. Ken's grandmother told him that the line of hereditary chiefs runs in his family. Some of his fondest memories are of being on the land with his Grandmother as she talked about family, plants and their culture. Ken's artwork is inspired by the gifts given to us by the Creator. He works mainly in stone with accents of moose antler, mammoth ivory, wood and bone to create one of a kind sculptures.
He is inspired from his own culture and from other First Nation's cultures. Ken spends his time studying various forms of First Nation's Art - as when he views great art, it encourages him to continue to develop his own style.
He is inspired from his own culture and from other First Nation's cultures. Ken spends his time studying various forms of First Nation's Art - as when he views great art, it encourages him to continue to develop his own style.
Larry Shkuratoff
Larry Shkuratoff was born and raised in the Kootenays, in the Slocan Valley area. In 1978 he, his wife and his children moved to Terrace, BC. There Larry worked as a hand faller for twenty seven years. During that time, he had many serious logging accidents, in which the last was nearly fatal. Larry was unable to go back to falling, but still loved working with wood. He decided to continue his passion by creating wood bowls and platters as the process was enjoyable, and the finished product was rewarding. Larry was self taught and learned as he went. Making wood bowls was entertaining but strenuous, requiring time and patience. The first step of production was to find the right wood, that could be made into an appealing bowl, then cutting and packing the blocks out of the bush. The wood blocks would then be turned and shaped into a rough bowl, then they would need to season for a year. Once the wood is dry Larry can complete the bowl by shaping it and sanding it. He then brushes a food safe oil onto the bowl, and it is then ready for daily use, such as for salad. Many hours are put into these functional, yet attractive bowls.
Laura Gilbert
My creativity is both my best friend and my worst enemy, always has been and always will be. Once a path of creative mojo begins for me, its journey is both unpredictable and unstoppable all the while inspiring and beautiful.
I tend to dapple in a variety of mediums, usually whatever I can justify as productive at a particular time in my life. You know, the art of distressing and painting furniture in my 20’s when I was setting up house, mixing scraps of fabrics to make quilts for all of the precious bambinos arriving a few years later, or simply looking at something old and useless and bending my mind to create with it – my house is full of this. I am also co-owner/designer of Gretel Designs, an enchanting jewelry line, but that story is for another time...
Then there is Art Class... taking time away from my household, my husband, my three kids and dog, to intentionally be creative- something I think we should all allow ourselves to do a little more often- I am well aware that this is easier said than done. At the moment I am exploring with encaustic painting at The Crow’s Nest Art Studio on a weekly basis and allowing the process to guide me. Wax is an incredibly forgiving medium, and at times you really have to be willing to let go of all expectation because lets face it, melting wax doesn’t always go the ways you want it to and that in itself leaves a lesson to be learned.
I tend to dapple in a variety of mediums, usually whatever I can justify as productive at a particular time in my life. You know, the art of distressing and painting furniture in my 20’s when I was setting up house, mixing scraps of fabrics to make quilts for all of the precious bambinos arriving a few years later, or simply looking at something old and useless and bending my mind to create with it – my house is full of this. I am also co-owner/designer of Gretel Designs, an enchanting jewelry line, but that story is for another time...
Then there is Art Class... taking time away from my household, my husband, my three kids and dog, to intentionally be creative- something I think we should all allow ourselves to do a little more often- I am well aware that this is easier said than done. At the moment I am exploring with encaustic painting at The Crow’s Nest Art Studio on a weekly basis and allowing the process to guide me. Wax is an incredibly forgiving medium, and at times you really have to be willing to let go of all expectation because lets face it, melting wax doesn’t always go the ways you want it to and that in itself leaves a lesson to be learned.
Lauren Miller
Lauren Miller was born and raised on a farm north of Morinville in Central Alberta. Her husband's career brought their family to Prince Rupert in December of 1989 and she is proud to call this place her home.
As a Learning Resource Teacher, Lauren works with many remarkably inspiring students. It is the daily reminders of how children see the world from their unique perspective that make her strive to explore the world from different points of view. Photography encourages Lauren to really see the environment; to look at things from different angles, and to get out and experience the natural wonders of the surrounding areas.
Another cue she takes from children is to continue the use of her imagination. Lauren loves that children believe that anything is possible. She believes that when we are not bound by conventional beliefs or uses for materials, we can begin to think outside the box. Lauren likes to think that the stories that she writes and the mobiles she creates are examples of how imagination and found objects can take on a new life.
As a Learning Resource Teacher, Lauren works with many remarkably inspiring students. It is the daily reminders of how children see the world from their unique perspective that make her strive to explore the world from different points of view. Photography encourages Lauren to really see the environment; to look at things from different angles, and to get out and experience the natural wonders of the surrounding areas.
Another cue she takes from children is to continue the use of her imagination. Lauren loves that children believe that anything is possible. She believes that when we are not bound by conventional beliefs or uses for materials, we can begin to think outside the box. Lauren likes to think that the stories that she writes and the mobiles she creates are examples of how imagination and found objects can take on a new life.
Laurie Gray
Laurie Gray lives in Port Edward on BC's north coast. Laurie has taken a diverse artistic journey which included painting, photography and pottery. Six years ago she found her medium, fibre art. She focuses on wearable art, namely naturally dyed, eco-printed silk and handmade felted pieces. She uses natural material to create stunning fashions. Whether it is using plants from our temperate rainforest to create unique eco-print silk scarves or the highest quality merino wool and silk to make one of a kind Nuno felt pieces, Laurie's work inspires and feeds the soul.
Laurie is a founding member of the North Coast Artists' Cooperative in Prince Rupert and the president of the local Arts Council. She has been actively involved in the arts community for the last fifteen years. Her pieces can be found in collections across North America and around the world.
Laurie is a founding member of the North Coast Artists' Cooperative in Prince Rupert and the president of the local Arts Council. She has been actively involved in the arts community for the last fifteen years. Her pieces can be found in collections across North America and around the world.
Lisa Morrow
Lisa Morrow currently resides in Prince Rupert B.C. She is married to Steve a helicopter pilot and has two sons. Being raised in Tofino and other remote villages along the B.C. Coast, Lisa has always been surrounded by the beauties of nature on our unique west coast. Lisa began painting seriously in 1996, and now is painting full time. Her spare time is devoted to promoting art in her Community. Lisa enjoys experimenting with various media, techniques and styles from impressionism to abstract and realism. She successfully pushes the limits of both her materials and the viewer's perception. Challenging herself from all angles there is a carefree quality to her work. "I am most happy with my work if it just comes from my minds eye or an exciting experiment."
Lynn Cociani
After receiving her Diploma in Fine Arts from Okanagan College in 1985, Lynn took on various artistic occupations such as airbrush artist, sign painter and custom framer before making the decision in 2003 to stay home with her young children. This provided her with the opportunity to pursue a career in painting. She now teaches art lessons and workshops and is a busy portrait and landscape artist.
Lynn has exhibited at the Smithers Art Gallery, the Terrace Art Gallery, and the Ruth Harvey Art Gallery at the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert.
Lynn grew up in the the Okanagan Valley but has happily called Prince Rupert home for 12 years. Her current obsession is trying to capture the character of the creatures and lush landscapes of Northern BC. She finds so much inspiration in the north, from the stunning natural surroundings to the communities and personalities that grow and thrive here. Each time she picks up her paintbrush she is celebrating another facet of life in this magical place.
Lynn has exhibited at the Smithers Art Gallery, the Terrace Art Gallery, and the Ruth Harvey Art Gallery at the Museum of Northern BC in Prince Rupert.
Lynn grew up in the the Okanagan Valley but has happily called Prince Rupert home for 12 years. Her current obsession is trying to capture the character of the creatures and lush landscapes of Northern BC. She finds so much inspiration in the north, from the stunning natural surroundings to the communities and personalities that grow and thrive here. Each time she picks up her paintbrush she is celebrating another facet of life in this magical place.
Marvin Kristoff
Pens from the Past - The name comes from the fact that most of the wood used in Marvin' s pens is recycled from a past form. For example, the wood could be Maple from an old kitchen cutting board, Oak from an old shipping pallet, Juniper wood that was destined for the fireplace, or Boards taken from a shipwreck on the Queen Charlotte Islands. He also creates very popular pens made from discarded Hockey sticks. When word spread that Marvin was turning out wood pens, more wood "came out of the woodwork" from his family and friends. Two commissioned pieces have been created from scraps from a new hardwood floor, and from an old Walnut tree on a family farm. A screen printer by trade and a firefighter by career, Marvin lives in Prince Rupert with his son.
Mavis Glencross
Born in Prince Rupert and living there for most of her life, Mavis Glencross is a true north coaster. She has been involved in artistic endeavours from a young age. In elementary school she enjoyed drawing and art. By the time she was 12 she was sewing Christmas gifts and making her own clothes. Throughout high school she focused on art and sewing. She was one of the first female students to take woodworking at a time when girls didn't usually do that kind of thing. Following high school she attended the University of Victoria. She earned a Bachelor of Education with a focus on Art Education and Library Science. Mavis is a multi-media artist, having worked with various forms of painting, potters, printmaking, weaving, quilting, etc. Recently she has focused on "fibre arts," fibre being cloth, paper, wool, etc. Eclectic is the word that best describes where she has come from and where she is headed in her artistic endeavours as she is always open to trying and experimenting with new materials and new ideas. Having travelled extensively in Canada she gets her inspiration from her love of the country and the richness of the northern scenery. Children are another source of inspiration. Their ideas, imagination and interesting way of viewing and expressing their world add colour, brightness, and a simple nature that is show-cased in her work.
Mike Ambach
Mike Ambach was born and raised in the interior region of British Columbia. He studied in Fine Arts, Education, and Environmental Studies, and travelled a fair bit. After living in Montreal for several years he moved back west to British Columbia, where he now work and play in the beautiful Northwest. Mike shoots both digital and film, including medium format film. Mike has a soft spot for the magic of film, and tries to practice photography as often as life permits him, usually with his dog.
Mike likes all kinds of photography, but is particularily drawn to photographing places that evoke a strong sense of identity and character, or sites that otherwise suggest stories or evidence of human use and history. He is curious about the relationship between humans and nature, and all the fascination stories that connect people to place.
Mike's images are for sale in a variety of formats, please get in touch to find out more.
If you are a publisher - magazine, book, advertising, ect - his images are available for licensing purchase options. Don't hesitate to get in touch and let him know your interests.
He is available for event photography in the Northwest BC region.
Mike likes all kinds of photography, but is particularily drawn to photographing places that evoke a strong sense of identity and character, or sites that otherwise suggest stories or evidence of human use and history. He is curious about the relationship between humans and nature, and all the fascination stories that connect people to place.
Mike's images are for sale in a variety of formats, please get in touch to find out more.
If you are a publisher - magazine, book, advertising, ect - his images are available for licensing purchase options. Don't hesitate to get in touch and let him know your interests.
He is available for event photography in the Northwest BC region.
Moyna Macilroy
Moyna has lived on the North Coast of British Columbia most of her life. Originally a native of New Brunswick, Moyna moved to the Pacific Coast with her family at the tender age of 6 months. Moyna started in Victoria and from there moved to Butedale, an old fishing cannery. It was there that Moyna's love of the outdoors began. After another stop on Aristazabal Island in a logging camp, Moyna finally ended up in Prince Rupert at the age of ten. It was here that Moyna's love of the natural beauty surrounding her grew and flourished. Moyna has always collected items found on the beaches and in the forests of the Northwest. These findings and the environments influences have provided the inspirations for Moyna's creations. You can usually find Moyna strolling on a beach with her husband, daughter and dog, a camera always close at hand. Share in one of the last temperate Rainforests of British Columbia and its wildlife as captured in one of Moyna's photographs or bring home one of Moyna's creations to remind you of your time spent in the timeless North coast.
Pam Mahoney
Pam Mahoney was born in Australia and immigrated to Canada in 1967. She grew up on a sheep and wheat farm in central New South Wales. Her father taught her to cut baby lamb's wool with scissors by the time she was eight years old. Pam learnt embroidery, smocking and sewing through her mother and aunts guidance. She took her first class for quilting in 1981 and quickly developed a passion for it. Her main medium is fabric but enjoys working with wools, ribbons, threads, buttons, old jewellery, beads and many other found objects. She is inspired by colours and shapes that surround her. Pam enjoys experimenting with fabric, through use of colours and texture. Pam has not only Canada wide recognition but international as well, with her quilts being displayed around the world.
Pat Irving
I have been "potting" for 28 years. I took lessons from Eva Bebington in the early 80s when her studio was the hub of the Terrace, BC, pottery scene. I continued to practice and learn from books and with my friends in various Terrace studios. A hobby snowballed into a lifestyle after I retired. I mainly make functional items.... I believe things should have a use rather than just looking good. Occasionally, I do some hand building, press molds and sculpture. I like to make animals and my love of owls gave me my business name, Night Owl Pottery. I especially like to create items that people have been looking for "forever" - in just the right size, the right colour and made to order. I have recently begun to teach students. This has opened up a very rewarding avenue for me. It is so much fun introducing clay and the magic of the wheel to new students. I look forward to meeting many new people at the Clay Artists of Terrace Society's Community Studio.
Peter Scheunert
Artisian woodcarver Peter Scheunert came from Germany 22 years ago, leaving behind a successful career in the corporate world to live the Canadian dream. His first carvings, Greek and Venetian masks, were inspired by his travels in Europe. His work honors the beauty of nature while building on Old World traditions of carving. With time Peter developed his style: bowls in the shape of a heart, bear paw, a canoe, and a salmon. The bowls are hand-finished using handmade tools, and double as practical food bowls and as sculptural pieces. Peter's work begins with hunting for the right kind of rare wood in the wilderness, with fermented sugar maple being the main substrate for his unique pieces. All wood is salvaged; no live trees are cut down. The finished pieces are oiled with organic sunflower oil and hand-polished to make them usable as food bowls and bring out the beauty of the wood.
Robin Knox
Robin Knox was born in Burlington, Ontario, and growing up in a rural setting gave her an early appreciation for God's creation and the beauty of the changing seasons. Encouraged by her parents and art teachers to pursue drawing and painting in various mediums, she could always be found with a pencil and paper in hand. Her love of watercolour began with an adult education class on wet techniques with Ontario artist Kai-Liss McInnis in the early 1980s. A busy career as a lab technologist, Pastor's wife, and a young family to raise kept painting to a casual hobby for many years. A move to Grand Cache, Alberta, allowed her to join a local art club and to show and sell work regularly in their active group. Now painting weekly, she developed a definite style of loose, calligraphic, moody yet colourful landscapes. A further move west brought her to the coast of BC and its beautiful landscapes and moods. With the encouragement of fellow artist Peach Myers, a small guild of amateur painters calling themselves the Easel Weasels formed. Meeting for semi-annual workshops with various artists has given added depth and versatility to Robin's paintings and subject material. She loves to paint outdoors as well as from her own photo materials. Robin now works in various mixed media and has done portraits and wildlife as well as abstract. Her works have won several art competitions held locally and received Honourable Mention in the Regional Juried Show in Kitimat. With the support of local businesses such as Cow Bay Cafe, Cowpuccino's, McLean and Rudderham, and the Highliner Inn she has sold her works to places from West Virginia to the East Coast.
Sarah Chi Brown
Born and raised on the B.C. coast, Sarah Chi Brown grew up commercial fishing and living in small island communities. An interest in art at a young age led to university Art History classes, and workshops with many varied artists.
Sarah delved into watercolour while living on a old wooden troller, began exhibiting paintings in Prince Rupert in 2008, and joined the Dodge Cove Arts Guild in 2009. Commissioned paintings by Sarah have been added to private collections throughout B.C., including Whistler.
Inspired by the history and culture of coastal life, Sarah enjoys painting past and present subject matter in many different mediums. Known for her watercolours and “boat portraits”, Sarah also works in acrylics and is now focusing on mixed media paintings.
A long-time resident of Digby Island, Sarah has a home based studio in Dodge Cove. One of the founding members of the Digby Island Arts group, Sarah also shows original artwork at the annual Digby Island Art Show.
To see more of Sarah’s work, go to https://sarahchibrown.wordpress.com/
Sarah delved into watercolour while living on a old wooden troller, began exhibiting paintings in Prince Rupert in 2008, and joined the Dodge Cove Arts Guild in 2009. Commissioned paintings by Sarah have been added to private collections throughout B.C., including Whistler.
Inspired by the history and culture of coastal life, Sarah enjoys painting past and present subject matter in many different mediums. Known for her watercolours and “boat portraits”, Sarah also works in acrylics and is now focusing on mixed media paintings.
A long-time resident of Digby Island, Sarah has a home based studio in Dodge Cove. One of the founding members of the Digby Island Arts group, Sarah also shows original artwork at the annual Digby Island Art Show.
To see more of Sarah’s work, go to https://sarahchibrown.wordpress.com/
Shiney O'Neill
Beads became my passion while on a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. I made 3 items with a friend there and only made it home with 1 piece. There were not many beaders out there 14 years ago and I was on the cutting edge. During my first 3 years, I searched everywhere for beautiful beads from around the world and, complementing my love of travel, I decided to go to areas in the world that have produced beads for centuries. I wound up in Jablonex, Czech Republic. A touch of communism could still be seen in this small town, but the beauty that the local people gave to their love of creating new beads was incredible. I met with several producers there, steering me in direction that would not have discovered otherwise. I was told that many families, sometimes generations of families, produced hand-cut beads in their home, even producing seed beads. The people I met in the Czech Republic inspired me to look beyond normal outlets. I haunted antique shops everywhere I went to find the most perfect of all beads. In Austria, I went to the Swarovski factory outside of Innesbuck and watched the machines produced cut crystals. I moved on the Latvia to seek out amber along the Baltic Sea. I spent many days walking the beach and finding many small pieces of amber that I have used in many pieces I have produced. I also discovered that amber comes in many different colours and that it differs from amber found in Columbia or anywhere else. At the Grand bazaar in Istanbul I found streets lined with shops of stone beads as well as glass creations that Turkey in famous for. I spend hours with the locals gathering information of chrysocolla, jades, amethyst, agate, turquoise, and so many more. I call myself a Beady-eyed Lady and in my 14 years of working with beads, I found that my passion gives me great pleasure. I hope that each item I created will be treasured by someone who is attracted to the sparkle and beauty of each piece.
