About CherryBee

My first memory of creating jewellery is of when I was about six years old, sitting in our back garden in London, England, making daisy chains. It was almost 30 years later before I made another piece.

In 1995, after eight years in the music industry and four years in the publishing industry, I quit my job in Australia, sold all my possessions and travelled to Prince Rupert, BC. During this time of travelling and hanging out, I started making beaded jewellery and collecting beads. I eventually ended up in Cherryville in the North Okanagan, and never left.

In 2004, I took a silversmithing course which I thoroughly enjoyed. I immediately invested in tools and supplies. Whilst I did set some stones for silver pendants, etc., I found the most joy in simple soldering—giving me the ability to make clasps and findings for my beaded jewellery, as well as the skills needed for my silver designs.

I find beading for hours on end very relaxing, as it satisfies my need to be productive, while doing something that I love. And while that left-brain side of me is happy and occupied, I can allow myself to focus on my feminine side, and enter a beautiful, timeless place where my studio and the beads speak to me. Many designs have come to me in dreams, as did my bee logo and the spelling of my name. I find inspiration in my natural surroundings, the garden and the wilderness. I am intrigued by symbology and archetypes, and play out themes in my mind which I sometimes translate into jewellery pieces, both elaborate and simple.

In 2008, after 10 years of running local arts festivals and founding & managing an outlet for local artisans, I resigned to be a stay-at-home mum for our daughter, now grown up. We live on a small farm, grow most of our own food, and aim to be as self-sufficient as we can be. I continue to create jewellery as a home-based business and personal creative endeavor.

Everything I make I truly do with love, as a way of showing my gratitude, and sharing all the love I have found in my life.