meet Barbara!
ARTIST STATEMENT
Handmade by Barbara evolved from a fascination of beads and the desire to fulfill my visions of beautiful jewelry. My sister-in-law taught me how to do very detailed work using seed beads. I started out with simple designs using cheap beads. As I learned some American Indian Designs, I knew I wanted to know more and grow as a jewelry artisan.
The Museum of Natural History was very impressive and I was totally in awe of the history of the beautiful stones that came out of the earth with their energy and properties. Each stone had its own individual story and gave me so many visions of creating pendants and bracelets.
When I visited my Mom and Dad in Tucson, AZ they took me to shows where people from Europe and all over the world displayed and sold their stones. I was further encouraged to follow my dreams of making jewelry. I found and bought beautiful treasures from Czechoslovakia, Japan and China to bring home and start creating.
Since 2004 I have become much more intricate with each piece of jewelry. Each original design I make it’s made with passion and is truly unique. I enjoy working with color and my creative nature helps me to make my some of my more eclectic pieces. I have done very detailed custom designed pieces for brides and for the whole bridal party. My designs can be elegantly simple or as intricate as necessary to achieve the desire of the person it’s for.
I love to hold a special stone and work with smaller beads and fixtures to enhance the vitality of the pendant. This helps me design and develop each new creation. Some stones need big and bold accents while others need tiny treasures to bring out the full story of the stone. It is true artistry to put beautiful pieces together and come out with a masterpiece.
ARTIST Bio
For the past 20 years I have been collecting unique beads and stones from all over the world and creating beautiful one of kind pieces of jewelry. All the stones I use are hand picked and I specialize in the health and well being properties that some of them bring to the person who wears them.
I am a member of the Hudson Valley Artisans Guild and The Bead Society of Greater New York. My unique pieces are sold throughout Dutchess County and the surrounding area at various stores and art galleries. During the fall and winter season you can find me at various juried art and craft shows in New York.
Most of my work is done at home in the space that my husband has helped me develop. I do being some pieces to my shows to work on as the mood strikes me. I hope you enjoy each piece I have made. Thanks.
Where to Buy!
MerriWeather’s : 51 E Market St #2 Rhinebeck, NY 12572
CardSmart & Gifts of Mahopac : 2 Clark PL Mahopac, NY 10541
Natures Pantry: 2 Locations
436 Blooming grove Turnpike New Windsor, NY 12553
1545 NY-52 #20 Fishkill, NY 12524