Biography

Born May 19, 1947 in Oak Park, Illinois

BA in English Literature, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois

I have had a number of 'careers' before becoming a beadmaker: photography, public relations, and sales and marketing. The longest stretch was 16 years with a packaging manufacturer, where I ended up as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. A leveraged buyout from hell sharpened my thinking and I left business in 1991 to do something else, although I wasn't exactly sure what that something else would be. I had always had an interest in glass, specifically stained glass windows. Growing up in a German Lutheran family, the small blown glass ornaments from Europe were always a fascination. After some investigation, decided I would try to develop a 'cottage industry' of my own making blown glass ornaments. When I began looking for supplies and equipment, I stumbled on to beadmaking. The idea of making ornaments was replaced with making beads.

I have been making beads full-time since February of 1993. I do not have any grand philosophy of art or aesthetics when it comes to beads. They are after all ornament and decoration, and, I think, best when kept somewhat humble. I do not understand what draws me to them. My working hypothesis is that it is like collecting stones on the beach. Small bright objects that we need to possess. From another point of view, the actual making of the beads, the craft of beadmaking, provides the deep satisfaction that comes from making things with your own hands.

I am married to Kathleen Dyer. We have been together for 25 years. We met at a stained glass class.  We live in Seattle, Washington. We have too many cats and no children. We figured out long ago where children come from and were very careful. No one knows where cats come from.

Write to Larry