Announcing the Interweave Top 20 Beading and Jewelry Artists for 2022

Bill Fretz | Owner of Fretz Designs  

Bill began as a jeweler and transitioned into an innovator of stakes, hammers, and jewelry making education.

You can’t help but be captivated by Bill’s expert craftsmanship and inspiring techniques. He helps jewelry makers by making tools to make their craft easier and the results more professional.

Read: It Started with a Bezel: Meet Jewelry Tool Designer and Artist Bill Fretz

Wyatt White | Product Manager of Beadalon, Co-Owner of Two Fabulous  

Along with his patented Multi-Plier, Wyatt has contributed many new tools and findings to the beading and jewelry industry—too many to count! His skills in wirework, pearl knotting, bead stringing, and more translate to making tools and findings that help make techniques easier and more efficient.

Watch: Jewelry-Making Pliers by the Dozens

Julianna Avelar | Owner of JewelLoom.com  

Julianna created and patented the Jewel Loom and has created an entire family of looms and related products to accompany it. She began her career in the creative industries with Aleen’s Creative Living TV and has worn many hats. From taking full advantage of Facebook groups and lives to, Julianna is creatively working it on the manufacturing, retail, and marketing fronts.

Read: Jewel Loom Your Beads Along with Julianna

Brenda Schweder | Owner of BrendaSchwederJewelry.com

Brenda Schweder invented Now That’s a Jig and a family of related products. Her creative marketing involves early adoption of interactive technology along with good old-fashioned on-hands instruction.

Listen: Hear how Brenda has pivoted to from inventing and teaching to lifestyle and art jewelry on Brenda Schweder: Creative Wrangler. 

Anie Piliguian | Inventor and Owner of JOOLTOOL

Anie is the inventor of the JOOLTOOL, an ingenious sharpening and polishing system. She grew up at the jeweler’s bench and is a lifelong maker who is focused on teaching jewelers everything they need to know so they can make jewelry successfully. To create the JOOLTOOL, Anie worked closely with 3M. She continues to forge relationships to grow her business in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

Listen: Check out our Jewelry Artist podcast interview, Anie Piliguian: Inventor & Maker with Heart.

Merle White | Former Editor-in-Chief of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist

Merle began as managing editor of Lapidary Journal in 1985. During her nearly 40 years with the magazine, Merle became known for her ability to recognize and cultivate talent in the jewelry making community. She truly shines a light on artists and makers.

Tim McCreight and Matthieu Cheminee | Founders of Toolbox Initiative

Toolbox Initiative collects tools from North American jewelers to send to metalsmiths in West Africa. The goal is to assist jewelers with limited resources through the collective strength of the metalworking community and to create new connections worldwide.

Tim shares, “Wow — what an unexpected and thrilling surprise! This is terrific, and while we are personally honored, the larger point is that events and honors like this give the Toolbox Initiative greater exposure, and that translates to support for what we do. Thank you for this heartwarming vote of confidence. It means more than I can express.”

Dr. Jean Gribbon | Founder and Executive Director of Beads of Courage

Jean founded the non-profit Beads of Courage, Inc., to provide arts-in-medicine care to children who are coping with serious illness. She is a master of bringing people together around the power and intention in beads.

Listen: Check out Jean on Jewelry Artist podcast to more about Beads of Courage and the science of art.

Wendy Ellsworth | Ally of Unity Village

Wendy is a talented beadworker whose visits to Unity Village in Kenya have inspired her work and her mission. She has brought many members of our community together to learn from and support these inspiring women.

Read: Wendy Ellsworth: Creative, Artistic, Generous, Spiritual

Karen Smith | Founder of We Wield the Hammer

Karen founded We Wield the Hammer, a metalsmith training program for women and girls of African descent. WWTH recently moved from Oakland to Durham, North Carolina and will soon expand to Senegal.

Listen: We interviewed Karen on Jewelry Artist Podcast about her story and insights.

Danielle Wickes | Owner of Danielle Wickes Jewelry, Creative Director of John Bead

Among her many achievements, Danielle has been creating stylish online beading classes for Michaels craft stores to help beginners get started. Her own curated bead boxes feature thoughtful jewelry designs in gorgeous color palettes.

Susan Lenart | Owner of Jewels of the Nomad

Having been involved in many aspects of the creative industries, Susan has pivoted toward her true North to combine metalsmithing, fashion, travel, and storytelling. Her Intentional Metalsmithing online education program and in-person excursions show how it’s done.

Listen: Susan Lenart joined us on Jewelry Artist Podcast to discuss her metalsmithing journey.

Alex Boyd​ | Alex Boyd Jewelry​

Known for his clever descriptions of his work, Alex brings creative metalsmithing instruction to students in-person and online. 

Nealay Patel |​ SilverSilk​ & More

As a full-time graphic designer who manufactures the machine stitched knitted wire jewelry chain known as SilverSilk, Nealay combines a passion for teaching with an eye for color and detail.

Nealay, says, “WOWOWOWOWOW! That was really unexpected and so sweet and amazing! I’m truly humbled to be named a trendsetter! For the most part, I haven’t taken myself too seriously and just want to help people craft or get into jewelry making and it’s been SO fun having SilverSilk to be the vehicle for that.” 

Carter Seibels |​ Woman Shops World​

With over 60K Instagram followers, Carter keeps it fun with colorful, trendy beads and supplies from around the world. Her Instagram feed is a breath of fresh air and bridges the gap between jewelry supply sales and stylish inspiration.

Sam Siegel | Owner of Sam’s Bead Shop

Sam started selling buttons online at the age of 12 and has built an impressive business and following through online collaboration and community. His engaging, conversational tone combined with savvy business sense make him one to watch.

Kierston Aiello | Product Development Manager for TierraCast, Owner of Ornery Metal Studio

Kierston is the driving force behind TierraCast’s pewter jewelry component designs and she’s also steadily building her own line of one-of-a-kind jewelry. She brings fierce technical knowledge and artistic skills to the jewelry studio so makers can create stylish jewelry.

Kendria Thompson | Founder of Metalsmiths for Change

Kendria is the founder of Metalsmiths for Change, which advocates for racial and social justice through collaboration and provides equitable opportunities for Black artists. She has been a guest on Rio Grande’s podcast, For the Love of Jewelers.

Skye Paul | Owner of Running Fox Beads

Skye is part of a young generation that mobilizes Indigenous art and culture through urban subcultures like tattooing and pop. She uses techniques passed down by her family with references to her heritage. Her work has been profiled on Vogue.com.

Katelyn Johnson | Owner of Katelyn Elyse Jewelry  

Katelyn believes that broken is beautiful. Each piece is carefully crafted using porcelain plates and sterling silver. Katelyn’s jewelry is designed with intention and created to remind us that we are enough. She is a 2021 Halstead Grant Finalist.