Original Leather Masks and Distinctive Beadwork

I'm proud to be a second generation working artisan. My dad was a woodcarver, oil painter and tattooist; watching him taught me a lot about craftsmanship and the discipline involved in turning what you love into your livelihood. He was a stickler for quality and originality, and I strive to honor those ideals with every piece that I make.

My obsession with old and unusual beads began in the early 80's, and I started working with leather and creating masks about a decade later. I began selling my handwork at festivals and galleries over 25 years ago, and I've been selling online since 1997. The years have honed my skills and given my work a distinctive style, but it's definitely an ongoing process; I am constantly exploring new ideas and techniques.

The recent "redefinition" of handmade has created a lot of confusion, so let me clarify what handmade means to me: Mine is a one woman business, but I'm fortunate to have a lot of support and encouragement from my family. I personally design, create, market, package and ship all of my products out of my Pacific Northwest studio. All materials are hand selected, each bead is hand sewn, and all leather items are hand carved, shaped and painted by me. Because each piece is handcrafted, there will be minor variances from one to the next; this is to be expected - and desired - in handmade work. My handcrafted pieces may have quirks that you won't find in mass produced items, but they'll also have a uniqueness and spirit that simply can't be copied or bulk manufactured.

When you purchase something in this shop, you are helping our family to pay our mortgage, and you are helping our daughter as she works her way through college; by supporting my small business, you are empowering me to expand my craft, to do what I love for a living, and to continue adding beauty to the world.

Thank you!