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My story

The day I graduated from Pikeville College in 2000 with a double major in Biology and Chemistry

Getting my education

Discovering my passion

Discovering my passion

A native of Louisa, KY,  I received a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Pikeville College (2000).  I earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Kentucky (2005) and was hired at the University of Wisconsin (2005-2007). 

One of the first pieces of jewelry I taught myself to make was a beaded bracelet on stretchy cord

Discovering my passion

Discovering my passion

Discovering my passion

I taught myself how to make my first piece of jewelry as I was finishing graduate school. I continued learning all about beading as a fun and fashionable way to relax from work, but it grew into a creative, hands-on, and tactile form of self-expression.

A behind the scenes of me working in my craft room. I tend to work on multiple projects at a time.

Choosing my path

Discovering my passion

Choosing my path

I decided to take a break from academics and focus on developing my art in 2007 We moved back to KY and I launched PhbeaD, a playful combination of the words Ph.D. and bead, to combine my science background with my passion for making jewelry. 

This is a small sample of the insect wings I found on the ground to reuse in my resin jewelry

Finding my inspiration

Finding my inspiration

Finding my inspiration

 After seeing pressed flower art, I was inspired to try to make jewelry with insect wings. I use alot of different insects in my work including butterflies, moths, cicadas, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and dobsonflies. Most wings are found locally-literally a dead bug off the ground that was hand-collected.

In this close up image of me at work I am collaging butterfly wings together to mount into a pendant

Preparing the wings

Finding my inspiration

Finding my inspiration

  The biology of every wing is unique and I developed each chemical preservation recipe through trial and error. In general, once wings are spread, dried, prepped, and shaped, they can be mounted into commercial or custom bezels that are made from brass, sterling silver, or 14K rolled gold.   

This picture shows the delicate process of mixing resin in the right ratio to achieve a proper cure

Making resin jewelry

Finding my inspiration

Making resin jewelry

 I use a proprietary double barrel, twice-mixed, vacuum-sealed resin technique to embed the wings into jewelry. Each piece is meticulously sealed to make an airtight, watertight envelope that is resistant to wear and tear. No two pieces are exactly alike and the colors and patterns are all natural.

When I travel to art shows, I pack everything I need to display, sell, and make jewelry  in my car

Traveling to art shows

Celebrating every success

Traveling to art shows

I do between 12-15 shows a year. Everything gets packed into my car including my tent, tables, display, jewelry, supplies, clothes, and essentials. I primarily travel across KY, but I have also done shows in TN, WV, OH, IN, IL, MO, TX, SD, MN, PA, FL, GA, and NC. 

the first time I set up a new display and new logo to launch my Urban Jungle collection in 2022

Trying new techniques

Celebrating every success

Traveling to art shows

When everything shut down in 2020, I took that time in my life to learn to work with polymer clay. Slow-made in small batches, I mix, roll, cut, sand, drill, and assemble everything by hand. My current collection is called Urban Jungle and features 6 custom colors and numerous statement and minimalist styles. 

In 2019 I won for Best Original Artist at the Septemberfest Festival in my hometown of Louisa, KY.

Celebrating every success

Celebrating every success

Celebrating every success

I am a juried member of the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program and my work has been featured on the cover of Step by Step Wire Jewelry and The Crafts Report magazines. My story was highlighted on KET's “Kentucky Life” and as a spotlight alumna of both my undergraduate and graduate alma maters. 

PhbeaD Jewelry

senetar@phbead.com

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