Wesley Brando

I'm a self taught artist and have had my own jewelry business for the past nineteen years. I specialize in collecting antique
and vintage glass beads and study their histories. My
appreciation for old beads began when I inherited my Great Grandmas jewelry collection. Being a sentimental person, I
wanted to share them with my family. I took apart one strand of my grandmother’s beads, and made all the ladies in my family jewelry out of them. The necklace and earring sets were
such a hit, friends started having me create jewelry for them out of their old family beads. It gave me inspiration to start
re-styling yesterday’s beads into modern, more wearable,
timeless fashions. The more old beads I saw and learned about, the more obsessed I became. I was working as a travel agent at the time which made it easy for me to travel the world looking for old, unique glass beads. Many of the beads I collect
are European made in the 1920’s through the 1960’s. Some of my favorite beads are intricately hand blown in Japan in the 1940’s and 1950’s. I found this is a nice way to recycle
and reuse the beautiful beads that are often forgotten about.
Today I have a substantial collection of old beads, pendants, and natural stone beads. I enjoy custom designing the perfect
piece for, or with someone who appreciates their beauty and sentiment.

In addition to jewelry making, I have spent the past five years teaching preschool and elementary age children. I also enjoy
teaching jewelry making skills to adults and children. I believe
with encouragement and gentle guidance, anyone can be an artist. I also try and spend as much time enjoying the outdoors as possible.

email: wbrando@comcast.net

Classes:
Wire Wrapping 101

Adventures in Wire Wrapping