Beads and wirework are the focal point of Kathryn’s unique jewelry. Kathryn’s work transitions from causal to formal. When not worn as jewelry they could be displayed as art. Kathryn’s strong sense of color and sculptural design make a perfect blend. The combination of silver, copper, and gold with colored glass creates various effects and makes every bead a one of a kind jewel.

Kathryn’s studies focused on fabric and custom clothing design. In 1989 her focus turned to silversmithing and designing jewelry. Kathryn has a wide range of experience from designing and creating material patterns, clothing, glass beads and jewelry. She has working knowledge of precious metals, their form, and function from designing and making custom jewelry as well as hand made glass bead jewelry.

Looking for objects to incorporate into her designs introduced her to glass. In a local bead store she came across a book by Cindy Jenkins “Making Glass Beads” which changed her life like many others. With little research found that Mesa Arts Center in Mesa Arizona, a neighboring city to Scottsdale had classes in Lampworking. In 2001 Kathryn started experimenting using metals and glass to form beads. Later she took workshops with Leah Fairbanks, Kate Fowle Meleney, and Larry Scott.

Kathryn was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1954. In 1969, her family moved west to Scottsdale, Arizona where she resides now with her husband Brian. The youngest of five artistic children she was exposed to many forms of art. Her background and passion is in the arts.  Kathryn studied art at Scottsdale Community College and Arizona State University.