Color was always a part of Roz Long’s life. It started with her treasured box of 48 Crayola crayons as a child, which evolved into a fascination with the colors, textures and patterns of the fabrics she used to sew clothing and furnishings for her home. Eventually her craving for color and creativity manifested itself through stained glass, tole and theorem painting.

Then one day her best friend showed her some beads she had been collecting (for years!) and Roz was intrigued by the colors, sizes, and textures. The friend showed her how to string beads for simple necklaces and bracelets and how to make loops and wraps for earrings. She was hooked! Making things for themselves, family and friends led to selling things at the hair salon her friend’s mom went to, and eventually progressed to selling at local craft fairs.

After discovering a fantastic local bead store, Roz signed up for a class in kumihimo (Japanese braiding). Then she joined the Delaware Valley Bead Society. The fabulous jewelry pieces of fellow members have inspired her to expand her skills by taking workshops offered by the DVBS. Roz’s repertoire has grown to include chain maille, bezel-making, wire-wrapping with Conetastic™, and most recently, bead-stitching with various shaped beads. Even though it can initially be frustrating, Roz loves learning new techniques and stitches. And wearing what she makes!

No one technique is her favorite. Anything that allows Roz to combine colors and textures to make something she thinks is pretty and/or unusual makes her happy. When something that was difficult at first becomes easy, she knows it’s time to learn something new.