I have always been attracted to the fanciful rather than the practical. When I discovered beads, love was immediate. I am drawn in by the color, as they gleam, glint and glow. Wire, the perfect companion to beads is strong, yet malleable. It longs to wrap itself around beads, framing each one to make it special. With wire and beads I can create anything imaginable. I can create fanciful things that have no purpose other than answering the question “Is this possible?” It is with wire that I can whisper.....

Being a native to the Pacific Northwest, I am inspired by the organic forms found in nature, Japanese motifs, textiles techniques and the sinuous lines found in the Art Nouveau movement. My focus is wire and metalwork. My work is becoming intimate with the subtleties of this medium and sharing these techniques with my students.

I teach at locally at Fusion Beads in Seattle WA, and these beads stores across the country; The Beading Frenzy, The Bead House, The Bead Gallery in Hawaii, Crystal Creations, Creative Castle,
Alaska Bead Co, Beads by Blanche and The Shepherdess.
The shows I teach at are; Interweave Press Bead Fests, Weekend with the Wire Masters, Bead & Button, Adorn Me, Art & Soul and BABE!

I am a frequent contributor to Beadwork Magazine.

My three tier wire tassel “Moontide” won best of show at the Puget Sound Bead Festival 2005. My Neckpiece “Maharajah” won 2nd place. “Maharajah” is also on tour with The Dairybarn 2006.“It’s a Mystery” placed third in Non-wearables in Bead Dreams 2006 at Bead & Button.

Of course, I did not get here all by myself.
I owe great thanks to many friends and mentors.

Kathy Dannerbeck,
Without her vision of Beads and Beyond, I would not be here today. She brought together the best bead store in the Pacific Northwest. She asked me to work for her from the very beginning. Even though I had a full time job when I started, it was only a matter of time before beads would take over my life, eventually becoming my livelihood. Kathy not only opened the gate to this path, she encouraged me to start teaching. She continually supports me in all my endeavors, even now that she is retired!
Thanks for everything Kat!

Lynne Merchant
Lynne single handedly launched wire working as it is known in the United States today. I am grateful to have studied under her. She taught me not only how to relate tools to wire, but to do it with integrity. She holds a high standard for everything in life, Use nothing but the best and be nothing but the best.

Cynthia Rutledge
Cynthia I hold as my standard of excellence. She is always organized, poised and delightful! She is always there with gentle guidance and support.

NanC Meinhardt
NanC was there for me when i was just getting started, and she helped me find my voice. She has taught me more than she knows!

Tracy Stanley
What can I say about Tracy? She has been there through thick and thin. She is the one with whom I have traveled the most and she is damn near the perfect roommate. I have had the great opportunity to be around her and I credit her with teaching me the most about problem solving.

Cheryl Sweeney
A Huge Thank you to Cheryl Sweeney for designing the best logo and web art there is under the sun. Did you see our logo? It Rocks! Check out the great lampwork beads she makes in her spare time at Sweeneyarts.com.

Jack Berkebile
Lastly I’d like to thank Jack Berkebile for his undying support. He not only allows me the freedom to do what makes me happy, he helps me by making my head pins and feeding the animals while I am away. Mostly I thank him for teaching me how to love and to be loved.
Thanks Jack!