Paula Adams by Sigrid Wynne-Evans     © June 2007   Paula Adams is a long time beader and designer. She has authored some wonderful books, two of which are unfortunately out of print. But "Visions" is still available. Get it while you can through her website! But HURRY!! Paula has some innovative designs. Check out her website for some incredible kits and necklaces, and ornaments. On bead-patterns.com, I love her "Fantasia Ornament" (item 11135). I think this project would make a beautiful pendent!   Don't miss the Jewel Cocoon Necklace" (item #11334). You really can't help but LOVE this piece. It reminds me of an old Faberge treasure.   I hope to see lots more of Paula's projects. I am lucky to own all her books. I hope that she will have more!

Here is Paula's story:

I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico but grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico. My twin sons are now grown and off on their own. I share my home with my 81-year old father and five beautiful, spoiled cats that really do not see what I see in beads.

In 1988 when I worked at Sandia National Laboratories my office mate, Sharon Shannon, gave me a pair of brick stitch earrings for my birthday. That day I gained two things; a love of beading and a best friend, I have been beading and teaching (over 60 different designs) ever since then (although my father and sister reminded me that I made a poinsettia center piece out of seed beads when I was in high school).

Sampling of Paula's Designs:
Click on an image to view the pattern information.
 
           

About eight years ago I designed a Christmas ornament, but did not teach it, as it was so dimensional I wasn't sure if I could. Well, my students kept asking for it, so 2003 I taught it. Wow! That was the beginning of the most exciting time in beading that I have ever had. Not only did they get it they kept asking for more. I have designed about 25 ornaments (with many variations of each) and taught nothing but ornaments for three years - almost every Saturday until mid April 2006, when I stopped to dedicate my time to my web site. This past Christmas I had over 180 ornaments dangling from my Christmas tree and it was delightful!

In 2005, one of my students, Peggy, notified the newspaper and they came out, took a picture and ran a story about my tree.

For a closer look, click on the Christmas Tree picture below.

Before I started designing Christmas ornaments I was designing amulet bags, dimensional amulet bags, brooches of all kind, cabochon necklaces, earring, bracelet, and all kinds of stuff. Most of these will eventually be offered on my site.

I have written two books and a booklet. The two books: Volume 1: Basic Cabochons and Volume 2: Netted Lace Amulet Bags are both out of print but I still have copies of the Booklet: The Cascade Necklace. I am planning on redoing the patterns in the books, but this time in FULL color (much, much easier to follow) and make them available on this site.

Sampling of Paula's Designs:
Click on an image to view the pattern information.
 
               

It has been a dream of mine to one day offer my patterns to people world wide, and thanks to the wonders of the Internet, I am now able to fulfill that dream. My hope is that you try some of the patterns and then expand on them to create your own beautiful designs. One of my greatest rewards is watching my sister, Robi Lynn, designing and selling her own patterns.