Connie Nabholz

In all of my pieces, I call myself a purist, I only use beads and thread, I don't back my pieces with fabric and glue or adhesive of any kind is out of the question. My friends know not to even use the g (glue) word around me.

I use Peyote stitch, brick stitch, Herringbone stitch, African net stitch, Russian leaf stitch, and numerous variations of these stitches as well as creating techniques of my own. These techniques are all off-loom bead-weaving techniques. I am forever searching for a new application to a favorite stitch or to learn a new technique.

I also incorporate wire work and wire wrapping in my jewelry. I started creating unusual, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using gems and other earth treasures, wire sculpting them in fine silver, sterling silver and 14K rolled gold wire.

In 2008, I discovered Kumihimo, which is an ancient Japanese weaving technique which is used to make beautiful woven cords and embellishments with fiber. The beadweavers have taken this technique and added beads and are making beautiful beadwoven chains and other jewelry items. I have made several pieces of jewelry with Kumihimo and am currently exploring its many possibilities.

Connie lives and creates her jewelry in Chipley, Florida