The Bead Tree

Handmade Glass Jewelry designed to enhance & celebrate your individuality. Each piece is original and one of a kind, just like the women who wear them.

I came across glass beads for the first time in September 2002, while enrolled in a therapy art class at the Cross Cancer Institute after the recent passing of my father to cancer. A local glass bead maker had donated some of his own beads to be used in the class. When I first saw his beads, I was mesmerized, could hardly believe that those tiny glass wonders were handmade right here in Edmonton!

By January 2003, I was making glass beads on a full-time basis and my mom, Judy, who took the therapy class with me, discovered a passion for jewelry making. Judy has a degree in Fine Arts & is a prolific painter so for her, understanding the nuances of colour & pattern were already part of her own skill set & expertise. It seemed only natural for us to end up collaborating; I making the glass beads & Judy, combining them with other beads to make jewelry pieces. We haven't looked back since.

We named our business, The Bead Tree as a nod to my father, a man who loved to walk in the forest & always took the time to appreciate the beauty of the trees.