Artist statement

Member PT Gallery - a cooperative
715 Water Street
Port Townsend, WA

I create to fill my life with joy, to discover how to mix colors and textures, to honor the environment and to keep my brain nimble. Whimsy, color and the natural world inspire my work. Mixing fiber, thread, beads, trinkets, shells, stones and found objects - man made and natural - I create jewelry, sculptures, wall hangings, critters and dolls. Most are hand sewn adding one bead at a time. The smaller the bead the better. My work is often embellished with embroidery. I have fun making, so when people see my work, I hope it makes them smile.

BIO

I was raised as an army brat, moving frequently on the east coast and in France. My passion has been fiber ever since my grandmother taught me to embroider and to crochet rag rugs when I was five.

My husband and I raised our two daughters in Riverton, Wyoming on the Wind River Reservation. I was active in the art and fiber community creating, volunteering and participating in craft fairs around the Rockies. My main focus was weaving and quilting.

Port Townsend, Washington has been our forever home since 2004. Here I discovered beads and bead embroidery and they have taken over my life! I am a member of the Port Townsend Gallery, belong to the Surface Design Association and am inspired and challenged as a member of Tangled Fibers - tangledfibers.weebly.com

Follow me on instagram  @patherkalbeads