I strive for museum-quality repairs that utilize my vast stash of antique and modern seed beads for historically accurate beadwork restorations. Contact me for free estimates on a wide range of beadwork repairs, including antique purse restoration, wedding dresses, couture clothing, (antique or contemporary), upholstery, First Nations beadwork, and other beaded artifacts
Beaded Sculptures and Vessels
"The Freaks Ride The Ferris Wheel," 2009, 22" high x 18" wide. Glass seed beads, fabric, and findings over hand-built armatures, on vintage metal flower pot wheel. These are my 21st century freaks. Clockwise from center top, The Misogynist throws popcorn at The Trophy Wife. The Sports Fanatic screams while listening to a CU game on his phone. The Religious Fundamentalist argues with The Bigot, (standing), while The Animal Hater above him frets about The Homophobe's dog above her.
"The Freaks Ride The Ferris Wheel," detail of The Homophobe.
"Fishionista," 2010, 6.5" high x 9" wide. Glass seed beads, sequins, and hand-sculpted polymer clay high heels over antique pin cushion armature.
"What Price Vanity?" front view. Bead embroidery on fabric, with antique doll head and papier mache torso over crinoline armature by Arabella Tattershall.
"What Price Vanity?" back view of crinoline.
This piece draws similarities between the cost of fashion in the 19th and 21st centuries.
From 1845 - 1860, the crinoline was a popular undergarment made of steel, wood or bone to make long skirts stand out. Over 40,000 women died wearing crinolines -- from their skirts catching on fire in front of hearths, or being caught in carriage wheels, or swept off cliffs or piers. In one case, 2,400 people died at a Santiago event when two women in crinolines blocked the exit during a fire.
In the 21st century, Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana is condemned for their poor environmental practices and lack of transparency. Their label is shown on the D&G purse logo, and through the use of oversized red roses throughout -- a signature motif for D&G.
"Bubbly Bliss," 2016, 5" high x 7" wide. Glass seed beads over hand built armature, faux pearls, handmade leather book, set in upcycled miniature brass clawfoot tub.
"Shrine To The Ice Queen," 2013, upcycled beaded sculpture, 9" high x 8.5" wide. Glass seed beads, ermine tail, antique glass perfume bottle, vintage glass bird ornament, and glass rabbit in vintage metal letter box.
This piece speaks to my lifelong love for ice skating. The vintage silver ice skate around her neck is from my girlhood charm bracelet.
"The Men Eat First," 2008, 14" high x 8" wide. Glass seed beads,
dried seeds, and glass fruit over upcycled metal candle holder.
Private collection, Wisconsin.
"Aspen Alley Basket," 1994. Glass seed beads, jonkra seeds, and wood beads over antique egg basket.
Beaded Milk Crate, 1995. Glass seed beads over vintage metal milk crate. Private collection, Colorado.
"Butchering 'La Boheme,'" 2001, 7" high x 4" wide.
Glass seed beads over vintage martini glass with hand-built armature.
"Tea Time For Elon Musk On Mars," 2018, 4" high x 3.5" wide. Upcycled robot sculpture with shower head, lace, mirror, doll house tea set.
"Filling Bellies At The Border," 2012, 11" high x 7" wide. Upcycled beaded sculpture with glass seed beads and findings over Mexican ceramic windchime and hand-built armature.
"Steamed To Near Fainting In Her Corset," assemblage, 2009, 5" high x 4" deep. Metal steamer slats with my grandmother's antique porcelain pin cushion doll.