Artist's Statement

Thank you for visiting my website. My name is Kathy Seely and I am a bead artist and teacher of beadwork. I live in the woods in Eastern Tennessee with several cats, who also like to play with beads.

I have been interested in fiber arts of various kinds since I learned sewing and embroidery from my grandmother at the age of 7. I first worked with beads as a teenager. Back then the only beads I had were the ones from Woolworth's. They were ill-shaped and came in only about 8 colors. I loved the process of weaving the beads and the fabric-like feel of the finished necklaces and bracelets, but I felt limited artistically with only 8 colors to work with so I drifted away to pursue other interests. I studied art in college and later went on to learn pattern making and clothing design.

I discovered beads again in 1992 when I happened in to a craft shop in Johnson City, TN. Cindy Tipton, the shop's owner was a beader and she had for sale a beautiful array of seed beads in lots of colors. Classes were being offered so I signed up. I lived 100 miles away, near Knoxville, but the lure of those beautiful beads was just too much. I drove back for the class the next weekend, bought some more beads and had such a good time playing with them that I signed up for another class. Cindy and I have over the years become good friends and beading buddies and I give her all of the credit for getting me started down the beadin' path.

About the time I was trying to learn peyote stitch, I discovered The New Beadwork. I was amazed by the incredible artistry to be found in this book. I began to see beads as a medium of artistic expression instead of just a material for constructing interesting jewelry. I saw that they could be manipulated in the same way that a painter manipulates paint and that a clothing designer changes a two dimensional piece of fabric into a three-dimensional garment. With this inspiration and with the stitches I had begun to learn, I felt that I could do anything with beads. Over the years, that is exactly what I have tried to do. I am continually experimenting, seeking ways to bead my visions into reality.

I love the way that glass beads capture and play with light. I love the sensual textures and the fabric-like quality of woven seed beads. Light and texture are key components in my work. I have been fortunate to be able to learn beading techniques from many very talented bead artists and I have also invented a few techniques of my own. I often make use of several different techniques in one piece. In addition to seed beads I incorporate vintage glass beads, stones, metal and other elements into my work.

My inspiration comes from dreams, nature, myth and long held feelings and emotions that somehow cannot find expression in any way other than through art. Beadwork is a continual journey of self-discovery for me. The stitching of one tiny component to another, one at a time, is a meditation, a dance with my soul.

I feel that everyone is creative and has within them the talent and vision to make beautiful things with their hands. Because I believe that creativity is as important to human beings as breathing, I teach beadwork to others with the hope that they can find as much joy in allowing their artistic self to flourish as I have. I also sell my work through galleries and exhibits and through a few juried art fairs. It is my hope that those who view my work and wear my jewelry will feel a sense of that creative spirit that keeps me going.