Gillian has had an interest in beads and beadwork since she was a small child; an interest kindled by hours spent playing with her grandmother's workbox of buttons, broken necklaces and loose beads, and has now been working with beads for almost forty years.
She is trained in fine arts, but her passion for beads and beadwork both predates and succeeds this. In her work she applies tiny seed beads one at a time in intricate designs and patterns, using nothing but needles and thread - occasionally wire - and beads, employing traditional bead threading and weaving techniques that have been handed down through countless generations of myriad cultures throughout the world.
Gillian is constantly exploring the possibilities of working with beads, adapting and experimenting with techniques to create various styles, colours and designs. Beads placed in close juxtaposition are employed in an almost painterly way, mixing and blending the colours as an artist would within a painting, but with sometimes an added third dimension and always with the inherent addition of the play of light. A piece of beadwork sparkles, and light and the colours of the beads reflect off each-other and can sometimes affect the colouration. If the beads are transparent, the shade of the thread will alter them subtly too, as it is seen through the bead.
She often works to commission - an aspect of her work that she really enjoys - creating a bespoke piece for a client to wear on a special occasion that will complement and enhance their outfit as well as fitting perfectly. She also carries out repairs and rethreading.
She has exhibited over the years at various venues throughout the county, including Bromham Mill Gallery, Bromham Library, Putnoe Library, Leighton Buzzard Library Theatre and Bedford River Festival.
For seventeen years now Gillian has been passing on the skills of bead threading and weaving through her courses, workshops and residential weekends. These are held at adult education centres and other venues throughout Bedfordshire, across the border into Northamptonshire and sometimes further afield. She will arrange tailor-made classes and workshops as a general introduction to beadwork or to explore specific techniques on request, and occasionally gives presentations on beads, their origins, history, uses, types and the techniques used in beadwork jewellery to interested groups.
She is a member of The Bead Society of Great Britain, The Beadworkers Guild and The Bead Study Trust.
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