Start May 18th, 2019
Finish April 1, 2020
10 months, 14 days
Every year, the Rocky Mountain Bead Society hosts a bead show—a gathering of artists, collectors, and creatives. It used to be held at the old Merchandise Mart, where rows of independent artists displayed their one-of-a-kind creations.
That’s where I first discovered a talented resin bead artist. Her beads were more than beautiful; they solved a challenge I often faced—choosing a color scheme. I don’t have an instinct for color, but these beads became my guide. Their hues and patterns led me, shaping my designs in ways I hadn’t imagined.
Inspired by one particular bead, I expanded its elements, layering textures and patterns, letting its influence grow into something uniquely my own.
A few years ago, I learned that the artist had passed away. At another show, her sister was there, selling the last of her work. I only wish she had known how her creativity sparked mine—how a single bead, made by her hands, carried its inspiration forward.