The Oceanscapes of Japanese Beader Miho Suzuki

Miho Suzuki has established herself as one of Japan’s most imaginative and technically refined bead artists, crafting miniature oceanscapes that blur the boundaries between fine jewelry, natural history illustration, and contemporary art. Her creations, often small enough to rest in the palm of a hand, possess the grandeur and depth of entire marine worlds. With …

The Beaded Gastronomy of Artist Stefano Poletti

Stefano Poletti is a Paris-based artist and jewelry designer whose work has long defied classification, operating in the fertile space between sculpture, fashion, and conceptual design. Among his many creative explorations, one of the most arresting and unconventional bodies of work is his beaded gastronomy series—an ongoing investigation into food, consumption, and aesthetic pleasure rendered …

Visualizing Jazz Bead Painter Xenobia Bailey

Xenobia Bailey is an artist whose beadwork transcends traditional boundaries, weaving together cultural memory, sonic energy, and Black diasporic aesthetics into a vibrant visual language she often refers to as “Funktional Art.” Bailey, originally trained as a costume designer at Pratt Institute and later educated in ethnomusicology at the University of Washington, emerged in the …

Rachel Nelson-Smith Freeform Bead Weaving Pioneer

Rachel Nelson-Smith is a renowned bead artist celebrated for her innovative approach to freeform bead weaving. Her work has significantly influenced the contemporary beadwork landscape, inspiring countless artists to explore the boundaries of traditional techniques. Nelson-Smith’s artistry is characterized by a harmonious blend of structure and spontaneity. She masterfully combines stitches such as right-angle weave …

Olena Nechyporenko Ukrainian Vyshyvanka Bead Artist

Olena Nechyporenko, a Ukrainian bead artist, has garnered attention for her intricate beadwork that revitalizes the traditional art of vyshyvanka—Ukrainian embroidered garments—through the meticulous application of beads. Her work stands as a testament to the enduring cultural significance of Ukrainian folk art, blending historical motifs with contemporary aesthetics to create pieces that resonate both within …

Lakota Bead Artist Jackie Bread Telling Stories Stitch by Stitch

Jackie Bread, a celebrated Lakota bead artist from the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, has built a powerful legacy through her intricate beadwork, seamlessly intertwining tradition, innovation, and narrative. Her art emerges from a deep cultural wellspring, drawing from generations of Indigenous knowledge and techniques, yet it also reflects a singular creative voice that speaks to …