Ann Marie Crosmun is a unique bead weaver. Her jewelry has an old world flair and attention to detail that is hard to find. She began her journey when she was very young, working with her grandmother beading wedding dresses in their tailor shop. Nana was a very creative individual who shared and tutored Ann Marie in design and rich color schemes. These European influences are very apparent in Ann Maries’ simple, yet elegant jewelry. To broaden and further develop her scope of wearable art, Ann Marie went to school at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France, touring museums and art districts throughout Europe whenever she had an opportunity. After a 17 year career at PBS, she met and married William, who encouraged her to ‘go play with her baby beads.’ Now, when Ann Marie is not on the road exhibiting her work at shows (since 1985), she lives and works out of her home studio in Durham with her husband and their cats. Due to her interest in European history, she has continued to research the style and enameling colors of what some of the famous queens would have worn. Thus was born, from non-traditional gemstones, “The Queen’s Collection.” Which, after an anniversary trip to Ireland, her art has transformed into  jewelry with a Celtic flair, for Women & Men.

Artists’ training: She earned her certification as a Precious Metal Clay instructor with Tim McCreight. Having taken workshops with CeCe Wire, and Keum Boo application with Celie Fago, she now incorporates her talent of bead weaving into her Precious Metal work, creating a graceful flow into the world of “Celtic Victoriana.” She is one of the original members of the Triangle Bead Society and is their President, coordinating and teaching classes in Parkwood and The Original Ornament in Carrboro. And is a founding member & President of The Silver Triangle PMC Guild.

Artists’ statement: I want the woman who wears my jewelry to feel that she is wearing something that was created especially for her to enhance her beauty and make her feel that she deserves to be noticed, and feel the wealth of memories in the world of Celtic Victoriana.