You are going to need your sunglasses this month because our member spotlight is shining on the sparkle and shimmer of jewelry by Mary Jae.

Mary always wears jewelry, especially the chunky bold kind. Not surprisingly, one day she saw a photo of a piece she liked, wondered if she could make it, hopped over to Hobby Lobby—and thus began her new career as jeweler. Fellow teachers and friends began to literally buy her work off her neck and her passion for making jewelry has continued to grow.

A member of the Alliance Art Gallery for over 11 years, Mary continues to expand her collections, going from the largest gems and beads to the very tiniest. Her latest intricately designed peyote seed bead bracelets and necklaces are a marvel to look at—the beads almost tinier that you can see— threaded into woven beauty.

Mary continually opens herself to new possibilities, even in hardware stores. When she went to purchase some bolts and nuts, she envisioned a whole new line of metallic jewelry using the peyote stitch on small hex nuts. Thus, a truly appealing line of jewelry emerged, especially for Steampunk fans or male clientele.

Mary will be giving away a beaded necklace at 6:00 on June 11 during our monthly Second Saturday Gallery night. The drawing for the necklace is free but you will need to be present to win. And don't forget your sunglasses!