Raychel Stein

Birdsong Beads

www.birdsongbeads.com

Artist's Bio

Raychelís handmade glass beads, vessels and Goddesses are a labor of love. It began with collecting glass beads many years ago, and progressed from there to stringing and designing finished pieces, to eventually wanting to create the beads herself. She sent away for a lampwork kit she saw in a crafterís catalog about ten years ago, and with the help of a few good books, she taught herself to make glass beads. In recent years, after moving from Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Scottsdale, Arizona, Raychel was able to hone her skills through classes and workshops. Today it is her passion as well as her occupation, with the founding of Birdsong Beads in 2001.

Raychel favors the look of ìorganicî beads, taking her inspiration from nature. A stone, a flower, a landscape, anything she finds can be the start of a whole new series of glass beads. Her color palette can be found in any natural setting. Raychelís elemental approach, using metal, enamel and frit, gives her glass creations a very unique style all her own. She is best known for her beautiful vessels and Goddess figures, which she feels are a tribute to the amazing Goddess in every woman.

Raychel now has her work in galleries, museums, and shops all across the country. She is the Southwest Regional Director of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, and the Moderator for the Arizona Society of Glass Beadmakers.