I have been interested in the needle arts all of my life. At age five I received a small hand crank sewing machine and began making doll clothing. By age ten, I had progressed from doll clothing to people clothing, making outfits for my mother and myself. As I grew older the outfits I made became more intricate and involved. At the same time I pursued other fields of art involving needlework such as cross stitching. This, while expanding my interest in natural objects. It was a natural progression to use my needle skills to enhance and surround objects of nature that I found appealing. Beaded jewelry was the logical next step. Working with tiny seed beads, employing my skills with the needle and thread, I found I could satisfy my desire to create special items in the area of fashion, but separate from the garment work I have done all my life. My desire to work in this area was enhanced form observing the fine beadwork of Native American artisans during my frequent visits to the Southwest. Their detail work, use of color, and incorporation of natural product excited me. It was something I wanted to do.

As for my beadwork, I am a self taught artist. While I primarily employ the traditional Indian "peyote stitch" technique,I do so in the way I have evolved my skills, from trial and error. I use various stones, rocks, minerals and gems such as turquoise, agates, jaspers, fossils, and petrified wood to serve as the focal point for my pieces. I try to glorify the selected natural object by placing it in a beaded setting to highlight its many facets. In doing so I combine my many years of sewing experience with my appreciation of the beauty of natural objects to create one of a kind wearable art.

Jems by Joan
Joan Stern
113 Stoneyside Lane
St. Louis, MO 63132
314-993-8435
e-mail Jems by Joan

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