This experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity thanks to the amazing Laura Donefer!

Backstage Buddies. I hung out with some amazing artists backstage as we prepared and put on our costumes the day of the show. They not only created incredible pieces but were so kind and helpful. Shout out to Clover Sevy and Hannah Gibson for being the best hall buddies!

The Process: My costume took months to create. I wanted my design to reflect my own art so I titled it “Symbiotic” referencing the relationship between us, flowers and bees.

I submitted my sketch over a year ago and then started creating. I built the top of the skirt with cloth covered in glass stones then layered over it with paper packaging to create the hive. Next I added lighting. Lastly I flame-worked beads and the bees and added them to the hive.

For the bottom of the skirt I created stamped honeycombs and added glass stones to the frame. And I created the train using hexagon shaped glass for a honeycomb train design.

For the top of the pieces I used beads and glass stones for a cape and a flower to top it all off. The flower was too heavy for my neck so I moved it to become a collar. I referenced my own sculptures in creating the beadwork on the flower. I love the whimsical nature of my work. Laura Donefer once told me to embrace the crazy in my sculptures and I chose full on crazy fun for this costume.

Finishing Details I made sure I thought about every aspect of the costume from my hair (pink wig) to my boots to my nails. Laura suggested pink gloves and I created beaded fingerless to be able to do fun nails. I love the way the boots came out and I plan on wearing them again! I used stained glass flower shaped but sealed them with a clear caulk to ensure they would not fall off. I also created jewelry…a necklace and earring set using my honeycomb stamping method. Oh and super fun sunglasses with bees on them too.

The show was such a fun experience! The crowd of glass artists were so supportive!

Again I am so thankful to have been a part of this incredible experience. Look for a documentary on Laura Donefer’s Glass Fashion Show in the future. Thank you John Mclean and my husband Bill for the photos and videos. And an extra big thank you to Laura Donefer and Jennifer Hand for organizing!

Hold the dates: July 10 – July 25, 2026 – Hope Cook Gallery Carnegie Art Center

July 10, 5-7pm – Opening Reception 

A sneak peek at 3 new in process pieces that will be a part of this exhibit over the summer. Just some quick peeks …saving the stories for the show.

Daisies aree my favorite flower. They are so cheerful and bring me joy! Lots of weaving and more to go on this one! So many memories of daisies to draw upon.

Memories from a trip to Colorado last summer. Gorgeous aspen trees everywhere There are so many layers in this one…from the zentangles to the photos of my time in Colorado to the embroidery on the tree bark and the weaving onto aspen branches from a friend’s cabin in the mountains.

Life at the beach! Nothing makes me feel more at peace! Photos; photo inspirations from my travels, yarn choices, sketch, and looking at an old weaving on top to begin planning the weaving to create for this piece.

Where this process all started…this tribute to my Garndma!

Video of the show, “Layers” at the Smallest Cog Gallery, St Peter, MN

Video of projection image to accompany Fall Falls

Video of computer and video projection

Images from the exhibit

Layers of Love and Loss: a tribute to my grandmother

Blossoms

Exhibit Invitation and Acknowledgments

A special thanks to the Smallest Cog for hosting the show!