Ward’s Beaded Jewelry at Karen Wray Fine Art

Photo: Beaded bracelet by artist Chris Ward

By Mandy Marksteiner

In the mid nineties, Chris Ward attended a craft show in Owatonna, Minn. In one of the craft show booths she saw a fabulous beaded bracelet that she absolutely loved.

She wanted to give it to her mother, but was afraid that the colors weren’t quite right.

Instead of forgetting about the bracelet and buying her mom a gift card, she took a class with the woman who made the bracelet, and fell in love with beading.

Photo: Artist Chris Ward

Ward quickly became an expert at making bracelets, necklaces and earrings using a spiral stitch, and has taught beading all over Minnesota.

She now lives in New Mexico and ran the Fuller Lodge Art Center for four years, shows her jewelry at the Marigold Arts Gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, and is the only beaded jewelry artist whose work is available at the Millicent Rogers Museum Store in Taos.

Photo: Beaded piece by artist Chris Ward

Ward’s jewelry is now for sale at the Karen Wray Fine Art Gallery in downtown Los Alamos.

Ward’s pieces range in price from $50 to $1,000. She uses precious materials like turquoise, silver, coral and her work has an antique look.

Her 22 karat gold bracelet has flower petals made from pink tourmaline, accents made from garnet and a translucent green peridot.

“I’ve wanted to show my work in Karen Wray’s gallery for a while,” Ward said. “It’s a great space.”

Ward’s work will be on display from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 during the Karen Wray Fine Art Gallery grand opening.

 

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