Melanie’s original studio was situated across from a bead shop. It was only a matter of time before the enchanting colors and shine of the glass, crystal and stone beads called to her, and she learned how to ‘sculpt’ with beads using not glue or resin, but needle and thread. What started as a hobby became a true passion, and today Melanie not only creates beadwork for competitions and commissions, but also teaches her favorite techniques at her studio in Wilton. Her works have won the gold medal of the FireMountain Gems Seed Bead Competition (Empress of the Fog Dragons), Judges Choice (Firefly Queen) and Grand Prize (Mad Tea Party) from the Museum of Beadwork, Bronze Medal (Cora’s Garden) and Notable Mention (Briarsea Mantle) and Finalist (Corvid in Flight Necklace) from Interweave’s Jewelry and Metal Competitions.

Every beaded work you see here is an original design. Every bead is stitched or woven by hand using nothing more than thread and needle. No looms are used.

Click on the images to read captions about the items.