My journey began in southern California. As a child, I remember searching for seed beads in the sand at preschool—one of the teachers must have put them there to keep the kids busy! I spent my allowance on tubes of seed beads from the hobby shop. I strung ‘love beads’ and set up a jewelry stand instead of selling Kool-Aid like the other kids. I also learned to sew—I liked the idea of wearing something that no one else had.

The years took me to Flagstaff, Arizona for a time. I was awestruck by the Native American beadwork that I saw in the store windows, and taught myself the basic techniques from a library book. The beading became like meditation to me then, and I’ve been hooked now, for over 20 years!

I sold my jewelry in small shows and stores, and my western style bead and leather jewelry was featured in a fashion show at Northern Arizona University in the late 1980’s.

In the early 1990’s I found myself back in Laramie, Wyoming where I had attended college years before. I met my wonderful husband who is a Wyoming native, cabinet maker, and artist.

I also met a friend who taught me all about stained glass. I learned the copper foil method and made lamps, panels, sun-catchers and candle holders and won several awards. But, when I saw a fused glass stone at a bead show, the ideas for jewelry started coming. I had to get a kiln, and more books to learn how to fuse glass.

After lots of experimenting and lots of mistakes, Godyssey Glass was born. I consider myself a multi-media artist so the combinations of fused glass, glass beads, stained glass, dichroic glass and wire make my pieces unique. I am always looking for new ideas and new techniques so check back often to see what I’m making.

I live in Laramie, Wyoming with my husband, Perry and youngest daughter Meggan, who is in high school. My son Zach lives in Laramie and works at our cabinet shop, Irving’s Hardwood Furnishings. My daughter Shealyn, works at Jeffrey’s Bistro, also in Laramie, and my daughter Chelsea is attending Northern Arizona University.

When I am not in my studio, I enjoy going to the nearby mountains with my husband and our dogs.