DESIGNER: Laura Steadman
EllJay Design
Laura is a jewellery and glass artist from Regina, Sk. She began taking metal smithing classes in 2008 and lampwork (glass bead making) classes soon afterwards at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre in Regina. Laura continued honing her skills by attending lampwork classes in Edmonton, instructed by guest glass artists from the United States, South Africa and France.
Over the years, Laura has exhibited her work at numerous juried shows in the province, including annual shows hosted by JewelleryWon. She is a juried member of the Saskatchewan Craft Council, a member of the ISGB (International Society Of Glass Beadmakers) and is a founding member of JewelleryWon, now the Jewellery Artists Guild of Regina - a group originally developed as a means to support and encourage Saskatchewan jewellery artists by providing a venue to help them thrive, grow and create marketing opportunities.
These days Laura divides her time between teaching Lampwork classes and the occasional jewellery class at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre and working in her home studio located in Regina, Saskatchewan. Here she designs and creates unique custom jewellery aswell as "Remember Me" glass memory beads. These handmade glass beads are infused with a small amount of ashes from a loved one or beloved pet. Each bead is a unique and personal memorial in the form of a beautiful piece of wearable art to help keep their memory close.
Laura is a contributing artist for the Beads Of Courage program. Beads of Courage is an arts-in-medicine program that helps children cope with serious illnesses by helping them record, tell, and own their story of courage through beads. Each bead represents an element of their treatment journey.
In January 2019, Laura was invited to the Beads of Courage headquarters in Tucson, AZ to be inducted to the Beads of Courage Hall of Fame in recognition of her ongoing donations of beads for programs, and support of the Beads of Courage program by organizing fundraising activities with community supporters and local lampwork artists.
Her work is available at:
Awarehouse Books - Regina, SK
Cuppa T'Tea -Regina, SK
The Mudutu Effect - Milestone, SK
Nocturnus Art & Metaphysical - Saskatoon, SK
QC Gifts - Regina, SK
www.elljaydesign.ca
www.facebook.com/EllJay_Design_By_Laura_Steadman
Instagram: @elljaydesign
Email: [email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/EllJayDesign