I was raised in Normal, IL, and moved to California in 1976.  I am divorced with two children, a boy who is 20 and a girl who is 18.  I taught myself to do beadwork in 1994 from a beaded earring kit.  I have always loved to knit, and taught myself to knit with seed beads from another kit and discovered my true passion.

My daughter, Kim, is showing an interest in beadwork and has participated alongside me in most of the craft fairs I have entered since she was 9 years old.  She is now pursuing a career as a jeweler and gemologist.  The link at the bottom of my Homepage for Rose Garden Jewelry is her website.  It is still under construction, but be sure to check back periodically.  Her styles of jewelry are very different from mine.  

My son is a full-time student, also works at a local bike shop and is a professional mountain bike racer competing in the extreme sports (mountain cross, downhill and dual slalom). 

We live in Novato, California, with our beautiful cat, Zeke.

Type of Craft

I do bead knitting (making a color picture from the beads knitted into every stitch of the article); beaded knitting (knitted articles embellished with beads); beaded crochet (crocheted articles embellished with beads); solid beaded articles using peyote, brick and loom techniques; and various bead stringing techniques to create necklaces for the pouches I make.  My pieces include earrings, necklaces, treasure pouches, bracelets, evening bags, wine charms, and Christmas ornaments.

 Awards

                 4th Place 1998 California State Fair – Beaded Knitted Wedding Purse

                 Best of Show 1998 Marin County Fair (CA) – Beaded Knitted Wedding Purse

                 1st Place 1997 California State Fair – Beaded Knitted Evening Bag

                 Best of Show 1997 Marin County Fair (CA) – Beaded Knitted Evening Bag

                 1st Place 1997 Marin County Fair (CA) – Beaded Knitted Evening Bag

Publications

Bead & Button Magazine, October 1999 Issue – Original pattern of loomed Peacock Evening Bag