By the time I was through kindergarten there were three things I was certain about. Ice cream was my favorite meal, I hated spiders, and when I grew up I was going to be an artist. That was about 35 years ago and I haven't changed my mind. After graduating from high school with a fine arts degree I attended college to take fine arts and commercial design.

      I paid for my education through scholarships and the perfect summer job… driving an ice cream truck (and the meals were included.) After college I worked as an illustrator/display designer for about 12 years. I then took some time off to freelance and spend more time with my twin daughters. From 2002 to 2007 I co-owned a fine arts studio where I taught art to children ages 3 and up.

      After many years of bead collecting and stringing, I set up my own torch in 2006. After the first bead I was addicted. Making glass beads is a wonderful art form for me; the reaction between different glass colours, the constant learning and creating as the glass melts and cools is fascinating to me. A day at the torch will pass like an hour. Thanks to the support and encouragement of my friends and family, I have built a studio in my home where I teach art to children and create glass beads all day long.

      I feel very fortunate to make a living at something I love doing. I don't know if I'm all grown up yet, but I can tell you that there will be no spiders on any of my beads. When I am not melting glass, I like spending time with my family boating and beach combing all around the British Columbia coastline.

      I live in Langley B.C. with Mark (my handsome sailor and expert bead cleaner) my teenage twin daughters Sarah and Emily and step daughters Hillary and Melanie.