I’ve made jewelry, sporadically, since middle school.  While I worked mostly with beads for years, my interests have broadened significantly and now I prefer to use beads as accents, rather than as complete pieces. 

I have degrees in history, but little of the details of day to day life speaks strongly to art or creativity.  The freeform aspects of wire and metal clay appeal to me tremendously.  I work in PMC (Precious Metal Clay), and I’m certified as an artisan through the PMC Connection; I’m also a member of the PMC Guild, and attended the PMC Conference in July to take classes and learn more techniques.  PMC is made by Mitsubishi Materials; they grind fine silver into dust-sized particles.  These are combined with water and an organic binder.  I can mold, shape, texture, cut, and form the clay into beads, rings, or whatever I choose.  The piece is dried, so that the water evaporates.  In the greenware state, I can refine the piece by carving and sanding, or adding more clay.  When I’m finished, I fire the piece in a kiln, which burns out the binder and sinters the metal particles together.  Afterward, the piece is polished, and often incorporated into a bracelet, earring, or necklace.  Freeform wire work invites a similar wide-open range of possibilities, from simple wraps to weaving or knitting to elaborate pieces.

Chain maille is another amazing field.  Ancient patterns can be made into functional chains, left alone or embellished with beads for colorful accents.  Maille is surprisingly relaxing!

Though it was originally an obsessive hobby, friends and family began to buy some of my chains and metal pieces.  Beady Eyed Girls was created officially in 2004.  I sell my work at the Tallahassee Downtown Marketplace, an artists’ market available every Saturday from March through November.  I have sold at the Tallahassee Ballet’s Sugar Plum Fair, and have been invited to have a booth at the Tallahassee Nursery’s Artisans in the Gardens this October.