I have been crafting for a very long time. I did many crafts as a child...most memorable for me had to be string art and rug hooking. If you grew up in the 60's and 70's, you would know what these are! As an adult, I knitted, stamped, scrapbooked and then in 2009 got interested in beading, wirework and beadweaving.

My shop name comes from a wonderful song, Ocean Pearl, by 54-40. I use it because it is a link between two things I adore - the ocean and beads. My love of the ocean began when I was 15 and took scuba lessons (my dad needed a dive buddy!). I passed as soon as I was old enough and began diving in beautiful tropical locales. I was fortunate to see incredible creatures - sea urchins, turtles, eels, rays, barracuda, sharks, fish and my all-time favourite octopus. Nowadays, my scuba opportunities are few and very far between. But the memories are there for a lifetime.

I bead when and where I can! I don't have a studio...I steal the dining room table (much to my husband's chagrin) and work there. I don't want to lock myself in a room and ostracize myself from my family when I bead! I have read that, sometimes, the creative mind can be a little "scattered" and occasionally disorganized. This does apply to me. Sharing pictures of my creative process is a bit embarassing because I like to work in what some people might call chaos.

I create pieces from published patterns and I design many of my own. I also change patterns to make more unique pieces. I use high quality beads and supplies such as TierraCast and Swarovski crystals. Making jewellery, seeing the finished product and then seeing it go to people who love to wear it has been so fun and rewarding.

I have chosen to support an organization called Oceana, donating 10% of my online sales to them. The money helps support their efforts to protect the worlds oceans and aquatic life. It is the least I can do, given what I have experienced beneath the waves.