Julie Ann Smith by Sigrid Wynne-Evans     © March 2006   Julie Ann Smith is an incredibly gifted artist! Her patterns here on bead-patterns.com are delightful. Her patterns have a great sense of color, and are playful. I know they make me smile.

If you haven't been to her website to see her lampworking beads, you really are missing something. They are whimsical, colorful, and are "Must haves". You can use them for a pendent, or find some way to add them to a project. Even just to collect. I especially love her bears! Don't miss her beads!

Julie also has some endearing drawings. I guess it's safe to say, that Julie is a multi disciplined artist. Whatever she seems to try, she has success at.

Here is what Julie has to say about herself.

Gosh, what do you say about yourself? I feel blessed to be able to chat here and I want to thank Rita and her staff for making this possible. She is a wonderful gal and she offers to us her talents and the ability to share our work with others! You're a love Rita!

I was born and raised in Kansas, though I am now in Texas! I come from a very talented family. My Grandma is an avid beader and there were always beads around when I grew up. Of course, my beloved Mom was also "touched" by the bead bug, but I honor her for her love of music, and for always having it "on". Mom was a genius on the piano and my brother and I would lie underneath the piano when she played, often falling asleep!! Mom always told us you get nearest to God through "music" I believe she was right.

I've always wanted to be an artist. I remember telling my family I wanted to be a greeting card "maker". My favorite toys were paper and crayons. I didn't like coloring books, cause I wanted to make my own characters. So, characters I drew and drew, I'm still here today doing it!

Today, I'm living out my dream. God's dream for ME! I knew long ago that I was to take the talent that God so generously gave me and give it back to the World; it is in my works, HIS WORKS that I am able to do it today!

From my greeting cards, to designing fabric, to creating lampwork beads and bead patterns, all I can say is I'm having a blast. My life is amazing! I have the most wonderful husband! Robert is my best friend and he is a wealth of support. If he didn't do what he does, I couldn't do what I do. I thank God for him each day! He's so cute too!!

Then I have tons and tons of internet friends. I started making lampwork beads in 2000. Now after almost 6 years, I've sold over 5000 sets of beads. I sell only on eBay and from my web site. It's amazing to look back and see just how far I've come.

I am currently writing patterns for a large publishing company. I am constantly in motion, either designing or writing/creating my patterns. The only time I sit still is when I'm in the tub! I even do my chain maille in the car! With my nose buried in my chain, I can't see all the nuts driving over the speed limit on the road!

Rob and I are looking to retire to the Rockies in the near future and I can just see me hooked up to a DIET COKE™ machine (intravenously) with my yarn, my beads and other various designing tools by my side, Rob stoking the fire and my little Emma doggie by my side, of course, with snow on the ground. Texas has been wonderful, but I'm ready to be out of this heat! I'm getting old!!

Pattern by Julie Ann Smith, Item 9707

Well, I know I'm rattling, but what is a biography? It's were you learn all the details you can about someone; so who am I!?

I am who I am because of Jesus! Without HIM, I am nothing!

Blessings you guys, and please visit me on my web site! It's been fun!

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