Announcing the Interweave Top 20 Bead + Jewelry Honorees for 2023

The Interweave Top 20 recognizes members of our beading and jewelry making communities who have caught our attention this year. Four categories include Innovators, Community Leaders, Trendsetters, and Rising Stars. Some of this year’s honorees attended our Maker Festivals Lancaster event, where they were presented with certificates on the Maker Stage.

Read on to learn more about each category, who we’re spotlighting, and join us in congratulating them in the comments.

Related: Meet the Interweave Yarn Top 20, Quilting Daily Top 20, and the Artists Network Top 100

Top 5 Innovators

From developing techniques to embracing new ways to make a living from their hard work and imagination, these honorees inspire us to create something new.

Jill MacKay

Jill MacKay is an accomplished designer, author, and consultant whose name is synonymous with innovation and inspiration. She has been designing product lines, jewelry findings, components and jewelry making tools for over 25 years. She licenses her work to national chain stores, manufacturers, and television retailers. Jill perpetually shares her vision of the transformational qualities of creativity and art. Jill is a successful, inspirational, hands-on working artist, designer with a successful record of contributing to the inspiration of others.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

John Dyer

John Dyer is recognized as a distinguished gemstone cutter and well-known name in the industry. For close to 30 years, he has worked on improving his art of transforming raw gem rough into breathtaking gemstones. His commitment to honoring the inherent beauty of each unique gemstone is evident in his wide array of cutting techniques, ranging from precise flat faceting to imaginative fantasy cuts and intricate carvings. With an impressive collection of over 60 gem cutting awards, John continues to captivate and inspire with exceptional craftsmanship.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Patti Bullard | Wubbers

Patti Bullard is a jewelry maker, educator, and tool inventor who currently holds 18 patents. Through her own experiences making jewelry, Patti was surprised to learn that most of the tools used in the jewelry-making industry were designed for other industries. Patti’s search for the “perfect” jewelry making tools led her to design Wubbers. Her passion for teaching jewelry-making seminars and classes has helped her realize that the proper tools are integral to ensuring creative success for jewelry makers of all levels.

Learn More: Facebok

Roger Halas

Roger Halas is a metalsmith and stone cutter whose imagination is captured by science fiction and mythology. He uses fine craftsmanship and innovative approaches to create jewelry and accessories inspired by galaxies far, far away. His work has been commissioned for numerous films and series including DC’s Aquaman and the award-winning Star Wars Obi-Wan Kenobi. He believes jewelry is a personal totem connecting you to your true inner self and revealing that inner self to the world at large.

Learn More: Instagram | Etsy

Sandra Lupo

Sandra Lupo invented the innovative Conetastic family of tools after many years as a metalsmith and jewelry maker. The skill of making fine jewelry has been Sandra’s family’s trade for many generations, and she boldly takes it in new DIY directions through print, video, TV, and in-person demonstrations. Sandra is a passionate designer and instructor who collaborates with companies such as Beadalon, Swarovski, Fire Mountain Gems & Beads, TierraCast, and more to bring inspiration and inspiration to jewelry makers.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Top 5 Community Leaders

Everyone in this group embraces collaboration and believes that elevating others is the key to their success. Supporting others in need is not only their passion but their cause.

Corkie Bolton | Metalsmith Society

Corkie Bolton created Metalsmith Society out of a strong desire to connect with other jewelers. In just a few years, it has become a 200,000-strong community within Instagram where jewelers support one another by sharing their knowledge. It’s a safe place where jewelers of all levels can ask questions and share their techniques, and everyone is welcome.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Desiree Casimiro, Emily Kane, and Carly Mayer | Forge & Finish

Forge & Finish founders Desiree Casimiro, Emily Kane, and Carly Mayer launched their business in 2015. They have since built up a production studio in the dynamic neighborhood of Olde Kensington in Philadelphia. These three are pillars of the Philadelphia slow fashion and handmade movement. They aim to support what matters and support others in their artistic path. Community is paramount to these entrepreneurs, and it shows.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Mallory Weston

Mallory Weston is engaged in the global art jewelry community, regularly participating in group exhibitions both nationally and internationally and collaborating with other makers and artistic platforms. She is an Assistant Professor of Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia. Mallory also maintains an active studio practice as a member of the JV Collective, a group of seven art jewelers that’s anchored in Philadelphia but national in scope.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Sara Oehler | Soft Flex Company

Sara Oehler is a jewelry designer, instructor, and author who has worked with Soft Flex Company for over 20 years, currently as Sales and Marketing Manager. She loves to share her passion for beading by teaching others how to create their own wearable art, in-person and online. Sara has a degree in organizational leadership and she’s the co-founder of The Great Bead Extravaganza, a virtual bead show and creative community-building effort.

Learn More: Website | Facebook

Tracy Matthews | Flourish & Thrive Academy

Tracy Matthews is a jewelry designer, entrepreneur, and Chief Visionary Officer of Flourish & Thrive Academy. She’s also the host of the top-rated Thrive By Design Podcast and the author of The Desired Brand Effect. Pivot has become a big word these days, but Tracy is ahead of the curve. She’s transitioned from creating her own jewelry lines for major retailers to designing high-end bespoke jewelry and teaching other jewelers how to grow their businesses through her podcast, coaching, educational courses, and more.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Top 5 Trendsetters

These influential members of our community are showing us all how to stand out from the crowd and stay in the lead.

Emily Phillippy | Emily Chelsea Jewelry

Emily Phillippy is the owner of Emily Chelsea Jewelry, a Philadelphia-based jeweler committed to social responsibility, environmental conservation, and equality. She won the Equally Wed Award 2020 for “Best LGBTQ+ Inclusive Jeweler.” Emily Chelsea Jewelry uses 100% recycled precious metals or Fairmined Gold, and diamonds and colored stones that are either recycled or from responsible sources.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Jamie Okuma

Jamie Okuma specializes in one-of-a-kind pieces, including many featuring seed bead work, that express stories and personal understandings from her Luiseño, Shoshone-Bannock, Wailaki, and Okinawan cultures. With more than 100,000 Instagram followers, she uses traditional techniques to create innovative couture and wearable art.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Olivia Shih

Olivia Shih is a contemporary jeweler, artist, and writer based in Oakland, California. Born in the US to immigrant parents and raised in Taiwan, she is an avid observer of human behavior and nuances. As an introvert, she brings a quiet and considered approach to jewelry. Olivia is also the assistant editor of Metalsmith magazine, a freelance writer for Art Jewelry Forum, and a jewelry and metal arts instructor at the California College of the Arts.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Rita Panulla | ImpressArt

Rita Pannulla is a metalsmith who specializes in hand stamping, and she’s the Designer/Education Director of ImpressArt. As a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburg with a degree in Industrial and Jewelry Design, Rita has created thousands of how-to projects for makers, as well as product development to make those projects easier. Rita is an expert at translating jewelry trends into statements of personal style.

Learn More: Facebook | Instagram

Susan Thomas | JTV Jewel School

Susan Thomas fell in love with gemstones as a young girl, mining for sapphires with her father in North Carolina. As the host of Jewel School, she loves sharing inspiration, design, and motivation with makers of all ages and experience levels. She believes that the most important trend is to make what you love, and the rest will follow.

Learn More: Facebook | Instagram

Rising Stars

These up-and-coming artists and makers are making waves in the industry while creative innovative, quality work.

Andria Bieber

Andria Bieber has been making jewelry for the past decade and has steadily acquired over 90,000 followers on Instagram and 12,000 followers on Facebook with Andria Bieber Designs. Her designs have been published in numerous magazines and Andria shares inspiration and instruction via social media, YouTube, and TikTok.

Learn More: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Christine Dunbar | Auntie Beading

Christine Dunbar was born and raised in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. She is of Inuvialuit and Cree descent and has used beading to help her connect with her Indigenous roots. Christine taught herself how to bead in late 2020, as she was stuck inside most of the day doing online classes for her degree. Beading has since become an integral part of Christine’s daily life and has introduced her to many other Indigenous beaders across North America. 

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Kate Dannenberg | Night Shift Studio

Kate Dannenberg is a jeweler and metalsmith from Philadelphia working as an artist, teacher, curator, and studio manager. While maintaining her personal artistic practice, Kate is a co-manager of Night Shift Studio, a Metals and Jewelry Cooperative located in South Philadelphia’s Bok Building. Kate is committed to precise craftsmanship and responsible sourcing, honoring the history and the future of Craft.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Michaela Smith | Wicked Wire Crafts

Michaela Smith began making jewelry to earn extra money in college, and in a few years, Wicked Wire Crafts grew into a full-time business with over 45,000 Instagram followers. Michael’s meticulous craftmanship is creative and on-trend. Wicked Wire Crafts is committed to environmental responsibility.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Ope Omojola | Octave Jewelry

Ope Omojola is a Nigerian-born jewelry designer and founder of Octave Jewelry based in Brooklyn, New York. She first picked up a soldering torch at a weeknight class at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. Years of independent experimentation and exploration led to Octave’s signature style. She is known for creating wearable sculptures that speak to personal style, history, and memory. Ope combines hand-cut stones with lampwork glass and sterling silver details.

Learn More: Website | Instagram

Of course, no roundup in this industry can ever cover the full depth and breadth of our incredible community—which is why we plan to keep this tradition of recognition going for years to come.

Related: Introducing the Interweave Top 20 Bead + Jewelry Artists for 2022

We hope you’ll join us in congratulating all our Top 20 honorees of 2023!