Hello! My name is Joan and my passion is making jewelry and wire art! Most of my jewelry has some wire detail to it. Its my signature style. I love to work with wire to create something unusual or one-of-a-kind. I love gemstone beads but am also a nut for lampwork glass beads, beads with unusual shapes, and oh, pearls! I can't forget about pearls! I've made some intricate pieces with seed beads as well and wish I had more time in each day for them.

In addition to my beaded and wire jewelry, I make unique wire creations such as ornaments, fan pulls, bookmarks, key chains and bubble wands. You'll have to check these out! They are great for one-of-kind, handmade gifts.

I have been making my jewelry and wire art since 2000. I am a self-taught artist. It started as a pastime for me while we were living aboard and cruising on our sailboat. I picked up a how-to book on making earrings and made a bunch as gifts. Because of the support (and oohs and aahs) from my family and friends (thank you Marge) I signed up to sell my newly made earrings at a local craft show in the park while we were in St. Petersburg, FL. I roped one of the other live aboard gals, Ellen (who had a car) into helping me for the day. We borrowed an 8ft long banquet table (that we could barely lift) and put it vertically sticking straight up from the back seat of her convertible. What a sight we must have been driving down the street! I sold several pairs of earrings that day! After paying Ellen in earrings, my creativity and passion was fueled into making more for another show. After another successful show, I jumped in with both feet, investing in gemstone beads, sterling silver, and 14K G.F. - which is what I use in my artwork today.

I am originally from Wheaton, IL and have participated in the famed Wheaton French Market since 2002, as well as participated in shows on the East Coast from the Chesapeake Bay to Florida where we sail our boat. I have a place in my heart for each piece I make, pouring my heart and soul into it. I love what I do, and I hope it shows. Its wonderful to hear compliments from customers who say "I love your work!" I hope what I make for them brings a smile or some joy to their lives, like it does for me.

In recent years, I have added a recycling element to my jewelry using Scrabble tiles, watch parts, bottle caps and other found objects. Sea glass has also been a big part of my display since I have been collecting it over the past 15 years as we have travelled on our sailboat.

My show efforts now are mainly in the Chesapeake Bay region in Maryland. I have participated in the Easton, MD Farmer's Market and exhibited at several specialty shows as well, including the Dorchester Arts Showcase, The Queen Anne's Art Center "Heck with the Malls" show, Pickering Creek Harvest Hoedown, Ridgely Strawberry Festival, Grasonville Sea Glass Show, Taste of Cambridge and a few more!

I am now own the Treasure Chest Gift shop and Gallery in Oxford, MD. I am on site at the The Treasure Chest in Oxford MD daily from 10am - 5pm in the summer months June thru August. I am closed on Tuesdays the rest of the year. You can meet with me there to discuss custom pieces or have me repair your costume jewelry.