From my earliest memories, I’ve been captivated by beads, jewelry, and the art of human adornment. I was especially drawn to the ancient history behind these objects, particularly beads. It's endlessly fascinating to me that bead-making and ornamentation emerged independently in cultures all around the world, often around the same time (circa 30,000 BCE). There isn’t a single culture that didn't embrace beads in some form. No one invented adornment and passed it along, it was something we all did. This shared instinct makes me see personal adornment as a deeply human behavior, something that connects us across time and geography. I love being a part of the world by expressing myself through a medium so universally understood.

After owning two retail bead and jewelry shops—one in Kona, Hawaii, and another in Nevada City, California—I’ve shifted my focus to a more personal creative practice. My background in sculpture is becoming more prominent in my work, influencing how I approach design. While my love for beads remains (how could you not love a great bead?), my jewelry now centers more on unusual, natural gemstones, featured in modern sterling silver or mixed metal settings. Nature is a recurring theme in my designs, trees, flowers, and mountains often make an appearance. I also enjoy working with reticulated silver, etching, and texturing. These techniques allow the metal to take on a life of its own, revealing organic, unpredictable patterns. In all my pieces, I aim to honor the wonder of the natural world—through gemstones, through metal, and through the beauty of living things.

With over 30 years in the jewelry industry, I’ve been fortunate to learn a great deal about jewelry-making, materials, and design. Just as importantly, I’ve had the joy of sharing that knowledge with others. I love the classroom atmosphere – where people have come together to create something that didn’t exist before, to open their minds to new information, and most importantly, to support one another in a new experience. I currently teach metalwork and beadwork classes regionally, which keeps me inspired and continually learning myself.

-Pamela Klein