Ann Brooks Studio

I look at my jewelry as a collaboration with artisans from around the world. Most of the beads I use are part of traditions handed down for generations. Today many of the children of those families are choosing more "modern" pursuits and in many cultures, the art of bead making by hand is dying out.

Many of the beads I use are older and some, rare. They are drawn from my collection purchased ten to fifteen years ago. Some are more than 100 years old and many are no longer available in today's marketplace.

I get great pleasure from giving these handmade bead treasures new life with my own hands.

Creating this jewelry grew out of a fascination with exotic lands, which began when my grandmother took me to Morocco (and Europe) when I was a teenager in the 1950's. In recent years I've traveled to faraway lands as a photographer. And, here is my photography blog with the most current travels.