Mixed Media Beaded Mosaic Sculpture with Melanie Christie

Melanie Christie creates mosaic sculptures using beads, stained glass, and found objects. Her painter’s eye looks at unadorned surfaces and sees a world of colorful possibilities. Melanie won Grand Prize in the 2022 Bead Arts Awards with one of her beaded mosaic sculptures, Rhino, which wowed the judges with its meticulous craftmanship and creativity.

Learn how Melanie transforms statues and other forms into mixed media works of art!

Melanie’s Process

Q: How do you build your beaded mosaic sculptures?
MC: I scour places like discount home décor stores, thrift shops, garage sales, and antique stores for unique shapes, and I also sculpt substrates when I have something specific in mind. I use Apoxie Sculpt to change the shape of the substrate, if I need to, but also as a layer of adherent for the beads. I also use a layer of glue on top of the Apoxie Sculpt and I seal the beads with clear acrylic urethane when I’m finished. This way I am sure that no beads will pop off. Choosing the beads is an ongoing process—and I have a lot to choose from.

Q: Can you describe your process for creating your winning Rhino?
MC: I happened to come across a pair of rhino bookends at HomeGoods and I knew immediately that they needed to be beaded (yes, I have another one that will be beaded soon). I began by cutting out the eye sockets to make room for two beautiful vintage German blown-glass eyeballs in my collection.

Q: What made you choose Rhino for entry in the competition?
MC: I chose this piece because it’s special. Ever since I placed the eyes and decided to use horsehair on the eyelashes and ears, the piece has had real presence. Also, I thought that if I had to ship the piece for a show – that this one would ship easily. Some of my other pieces, like Ketch (my pelican) are quite large.

A Career in Bead Arts

Q: How did you begin doing this type of bead art and what do you love about it?
MC: A few years ago, I began making mosaics, taking a turn from painting which I have done most of my life. I was using mostly stained glass and I kept wanting to use smaller pieces to create finer details. Then I realized the solution was beads, so I started dipping into my bead collection. I have been beading since high school when I began making and selling beaded earrings. Throughout my life I have collected beads and made jewelry for myself and to give as gifts. But when I realized that I could use beads as my medium to create color and texture in mosaics and on sculptural pieces, my bead collection exploded.

Q: Is creating bead mosaics a full-time job or a side project?
MC: Yes, this is my day job. Previously, I had run the art program at my local K-8 school. I love working with kids and making sure they have art as a part of their curriculum is very important to me. Now I spend most of my time in my home studio creating new work when I’m not traveling with my husband.

Advice for Entering Competition

Q: What advice would you share with people who are considering entering a beading competition?
MC: Go for it! In fact, I thought about NOT entering this competition because I thought it was more geared toward jewelry. But there was one sentence in the prospectus that said something about bead sculptures being welcomed. So, when I was discussing this competition with my friend, she urged me to enter, saying that she was sure that the people from Fire Mountain Gems, Interweave, and the beading community would love to see how I am using beads. However, one does have to be ready for rejection and not take it personally. Usually a “no” means that your work doesn’t fit with what the jurors have in mind for the show, not that your work doesn’t stack up. So be brave.

Find Melanie Online

Melanie now focuses on making art full time in her home studio in San Jose. See more of her work and shop at melaniechristie.com and her Etsy shop, Flying Glass Art.

Artists of all levels, from jewelry artists to creators of beaded sculpture, are welcome to enter the Bead Arts Awards competition for the chance to gain recognition for their accomplishments and to show off their best beadwork. While we love dramatic beadwork, we’re also looking for bead contest entries with interesting stories, careful craftsmanship, or new twists on a technique. Show us what you can do!