Jewelry – Red Rocks Art Studio

For untold years, there has been a growing appreciation for period bead collecting—particularly from the romantic era of the First Traders and Mountain Men of the early nineteenth century. These objects carry with them the spirit of exploration, exchange, and survival.

Pictured below are Trade Beads dating from the sixteenth through the early nineteenth centuries—artifacts of a global dialogue between cultures.

Sixteenth Century to Nineteenth Century Trade Beads — These include:
Sixteenth to Nineteenth-century seven-layer Chevron bead from Venice, Italy.
Hudson Bay trade beads
Venetian glass beads
Feather and Ghost bead.

Alongside these historic pieces are contemporary arrangements that bring past and present together—featuring rare Cane Chevron, Red Skunk beads, Black and Blue Chevrons from Europe to trade.

A seven layered sixteenth-Century Chevron Trade Bead from Venice, Italy. — Sixteenth Century seven-layer Chevron Trade Bead from Venice, Italy.

Chevron beads, Venetian Glass beads, Czechoslovakian glass beads — Contemporary Trade Beads, Chevrons with a Chevron Cane. Beads form Italy, Africa and Czechoslovakia.

Drawing from this history, I create contemporary work that reflects the rugged individuality and craftsmanship of the frontier tradition.

Skunk Beads and Earrings — Featured design includes:
Skunk beaded necklace with matching earrings. Hand-assembled trade bead compositions blending antique and modern elements.