Billie Beads Are Beautiful

Every once in a while, an artist comes along who just tickles our fancy. And no one has done that to me more than Billie Tanner. I first saw her work in New York years ago and just knew I needed some of it close by.

Billie and her husband Bob Nielson are both trained sculptors. But instead of creating huge statues, they turned their attention to polymer clay, Swarovski crystals and small objects. Lucky us! Their work is fastidious, fun and fanciful. It makes you smile. And in a mass produced world, their careful creations are amazing stars.

Christmas wouldn't be the same at Maddi's without Billie's tree brooches, and we just couldn't have Valentine's Day without the wonderful pins. As the hearts also have a bail, several of us have added all sorts of baubles and beads to make our Billie hearts the centerpieces of fantastic necklaces. And in this year of uncertain fortunes, we asked Billie for a piggy bank, a perfect place for the few pennies we can manage to save.

Be sure to see these amazing creations this season. They are in both Maddi's and on-line in the Art Jewelry section. They are small, but oh, so dazzling!