A bit about me and my Essential Earthwear line...

Let's face it. I'm addicted -- to beads! I'm passionate about hunting down unique and affordable gems and glass beads.
It all started back in 1998, when I moved from Maryland to Massachussetts and met a host of new friends who taught me the art of macrame. Our material of choice at the time was hemp. We spent hours creating necklaces, bracelets, earrings, plant hangers, anklets, purse straps, belts -- and anything else we could think up -- that could be made from a macrame stitch. We took our materials everywhere we went; to coffeehouses, friend's houses, parks, you name it!

Some people get addicted to buying shoes. I got addicted to buying beads, and over the course of the following few years gradually made my move away from hemp and toward designing hancrafted earth-inspired jewelry on nylon coated wire. 

I design earrings, necklaces, bracelets and anklets, and have created many custom pieces over the years. I also re-work antique or heirloom pieces.

At my shows and in my online store you will find a variety of designs to suit many tastes. Pieces are all handcrafted with beads ranging from lampworked glass, ceramic, semi-precious gemstones, natural stones, wood, metals and so much more.

Working with gems and beads has brought me a lot of joy, and I am now working hand-in-hand with my mom to create magnificent pieces of jewelry together. Not only has it brought my family closer, but I have met so many amazing artists along my journey through beading. You can find out more about some of the other artists that I absolutely adore by visiting the Things I Like tab.
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Katie is also a musician; playing bass, singing and writing for the contemporary folk group, We’re About 9 (www.wa9.org).