Artist Louise Little creates stunningly exquisite jewelry that evokes the beauty of the American Southwest where she lives. To see more of her wearable art, please visit her website.
![Painted Desert](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL1_Painted-Desert-2.jpg)
” Painted Desert” Hollow Bead Necklace Lampworked beads, Woven Beaded Beads, 17″
As a Glass bead artist I draw inspiration from the southwestern deserts where I make my home. I play with fire and create glass beads which I use in my art jewelry creations. I have been making glass beads in the Venetian style since 1997 and have studied with many glass masters.
![Desert Bloom Bead](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL2_DesertBloomBead-21.jpg)
“Desert Bloom Bead” Lampworked Bead, 30mm x 24mm
My parents discouraged me from pursuing an art career so I chose business and computer science degrees instead. I channeled my creativity to weekends and holidays exploring various mediums until I met glass in 1997.
![Glass as Cabochon](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL7_glass_as_cabachon-2.jpg)
“Glass as Cabochon” Lampworked Beads, Cold Working Glass, Bezel Setting, Tube Riveting Bracelet, 7.25″
Glass is mysterious. It is not liquid or solid and definitely has a mind of its own. I love working in the torch then placing the finished pieces in the kiln where hours later the glass reveals its surprises.
![Artifact Bead](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL3_ArtifactBead-2.jpg)
“Artifact Bead” Lampworked Bead, Etched, with Fine Silver, 45mm x 22mm
I love the transparency of glass. I love that I can make glass look like ancient stones born of the earth. I love its history and its influence in the world and try to mimic historical beads.
![Painted Desert Bead](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL11_PaintedDesertBead-2.jpg)
“Painted Desert Bead” Lampworked Bead with Fine Silver and Bezel Set Stone, 60mm x 27mm
And I love expressing the beauty and culture of the southwestern deserts in my glass beads and art jewelry creations – like my Urban Lariat series.
![Barrel Cactus Necklace](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL6_barrelCactus_necklace-2.jpg)
“Barrel Cactus Necklace” Sterling Silver and Semi Precious Stones, Stone Setting Necklace, 18″
I could not express my vision with glass alone so I pursued other jewelry making techniques like metal smithing, enamels as well as polymer, metal clays, and bead weaving. I utilize all of these mediums to best express the story in the piece of jewelry that I am creating.
![Mesquite Bracelet](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL9_mesquite-2.jpg)
“Mesquite Bracelet” Fine Silver Crafted from Precious Metal Clay, 7.25″
My favorite way to use my beads is like they are precious stones. So I set them in metal and accent them with natural stones. Sometimes just the metal tells the story with simple form and texture.
![Lariat Necklace](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL5_LariatNecklace-2.jpg)
“Lariat Necklace” Lampworked Bead, Woven Seed Beads, 30″
Recently I have challenged myself to go beyond jewelry and have been working on small “desert” vignettes that capture a small icon of the desert to hang on your walls.
![Painted Lady Beads Necklace](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL4_PaintedLadyBeads-2.jpg)
“Painted Lady Beads Necklace” Lampworked Beads, Bead measures 16mm x 12mm, Necklace, 18″
I never lack for inspiration. I love the challenge to take that inspiration and figure out how best to create it.
![Louise Little in her studio at the torch](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LL13_me_at_torch-2.png)
Louise Little in her studio at the torch
My passion is creating the desert in glass and metal.
Louise Little invites you to follow her on Facebook.
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