In 1996, Melinda's life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and given six months to live. She was living in San Rafael at the time and working in San Francisco as an investment banker for a major banking firm. As part of her therapy she was encouraged to do something creative with her hands.
From that time on, her life changed dramatically. She had always loved beads, especially old and unusual ones. She was particularly attracted to beads because they were one of the first art forms mankind developed. She began researching and learning the history of beads and also began buying beads, especially tribal and ancient beads and vintage glass beads.
Then she began designing beads in 2001, using beads from all over the world. Ancient beads appear in many of her pieces. Most pieces reflect a combination of old and new beads as well as an interesting play of lights and textures. To Melinda, beads are endlessly fascinating and can enhance a woman's natural beauty.
She hopes you enjoy wearing her "one of a kind" pieces as much as she enjoys creating them. Melinda also does custom work and can redo and/or redesign strands of inherited beads. Contact site for further information.
