BarbaraBeckerSimon

since I can remember, drawing ballerinas in kindergarten! I went to college to get a degree in Art Education and fell in love with an elective course: Jewelry!

Why do I love to wear jewelry, make jewelry, talk about jewelry, imagine future pieces while I wait at a traffic light?? Lots of reasons! Jewelry, an art form that is designed to be worn, has many functions: to indicate status (like a wedding ring), to act as a talisman or or amulet (a 60's hippy "peace' sign), to act as a commemorative symbol ( a class ring), or to just be an expression of your personal expression; not unlike way you decorate your living space, the clothes you wear, or the music you like to listen to. When you note the kind of jewelry someone is wearing, it gives you a hint as to who they are.

I make jewelry that comes from ideas the occur to me whether serious or silly, or Mother Nature's splendor, or what ever pops up. I just love to be able to express who I am by what I use to adorn myself. If what I do, clicks with you, then that makes me happy.

That first jewelry class was in 1966. I decided to further my education and get a Master of Fine Arts in Metalwork and Jewelry which would enable me to teach on the University level--which I did in Menomonie, WI at the UW, Iowa State University, and Southwest Florida State College. Now I teach all over the USA and the world: Japan, UK, Austria & Switzerland.
I am not only a teacher but a "Maker" as well. I have been making one-of-a-kind, commissioned jewelry for decades using traditional goldsmithing techniques. In 1996 I was introduced to flameworked glass beads and in 1997 to Precious Metal Clay and my studio emphasis took a wild turn! Now, those two media are the most prevalent in my work. Once in a while I revert back to traditional metalsmithing, but I am so in love with metal clay and glass that the saws, files, solders and casting aren't as tempting as they once were! I am surprised because I always thought I would be making art jewelry with those traditional materials--gold, diamonds, sterling, etc. You never, ever know what unexpected things will happen in life!
Over the years, I have written a book, "Metal Clay Beads" (sadly out of print--but you can find it on Amazon), won prestigious awards (Saul Bell Design Award 2007, 2011), traveled the world to teach, and hopefully provided guidance and inspiratiion to beginning, and beyond, jewelry artists. Lately, I have seen a good number of private students here in my well equipped studio. (I have 50 years of accumulated tools and "toys!" for them to play with!) It is such a pleasure to welcome students into my home studio!
I feel so lucky to do what I am good at and what I love to do for my livelihood. Whether you own a piece that I have made, a tool that helps you in your work, or have participated in a class I taught, I am so grateful to have touched your life.