About
Karen Parker is a scientist and bead artist living in upstate New York. Karen has had a long career as a molecular biologist and trailing spouse (her husband, Joel Parker, is currently an Associate Professor at SUNY-Plattsburgh) and has lived in Switzerland, England and the US. Saddened by a lack of colors and textures in her molecular work, Karen always maintained an interest in quilting. This has recently evolved into a love of bead weaving and the creation of a series of beaded insect jewelry, inspired by her husband's entomological interests and her recent position at the University of Vermont.
You can always contact Karen by email at wizardislanddesigns@gmail.com
Artist Statement
"Inachis io top detail MichaD crop"
by Chiswick Chap
A self-taught beader, I’ve always been fascinated by off-loom beadwork, where thread and beads can be combined to create something substantial and magical.
Inspired by my background in biology and a microscopic view of butterfly wing scales (they look just like beads!), I started a series of beaded butterflies. This has recently expanded to include honeybees,dragonflies and even a kissing bug!.
I am a proud member of the Etsy Beadweavers team and a recent challenge on the “Art of Kandinsky” has inspired me to create my Mandala series.
Inspired by my background in biology and a microscopic view of butterfly wing scales (they look just like beads!), I started a series of beaded butterflies. This has recently expanded to include honeybees,dragonflies and even a kissing bug!.
I am a proud member of the Etsy Beadweavers team and a recent challenge on the “Art of Kandinsky” has inspired me to create my Mandala series.
Books
First book!
Brick-Stitching Nature is for sale on the Beading Daily website
as an ebook available for immediate download.
Awards and Competitions
- March 2015 Editor's Choice for Beadaholique's Pastels Contest for my Pale Pink and Purple Circles necklace. You can see the announcement here.
- March 2015 Etsy Beadweavers' Competition on the theme of "Spring Migration". I was the Team Winner and Public Vote Winner for my necklace Monarch Migration.
- 2015 Annual Adirondack Artists Guild Juried Show. Pieces accepted were a Large Luna Moth Necklace and the Flight of the Monarch necklace.
- 2015 Lake Placid Center for the Arts Juried Show "Black and White". My Paper Kite Butterfly necklace was accepted.
- 2014 Regional Juried Art Show at Northwinds Fine Arts Gallery in Saranac Lake. A Circles Necklace in Blue and Orange and a Large Luna Moth Necklace were accepted.
- 2014 Annual Adirondack Artists Guild Juried Show accepted my Monarch Butterfly Necklace and my Honeybee Collar No. 2.
- February 2014 Etsy Beadweavers' Competition "Warmth". I won the Team Vote for my Phoenix Necklace.
- October 2013 Etsy Beadweavers' Competition "The Beauty of Geometry". I won the Team Vote for my Honeybee Collar.
- 2013 Juried Members Show, North Country Cultural Association for the Arts. My Black-veined Hairstreak Butterfly necklace was accepted into the show.