Desert Dreamer Designs 
Welcome! My name is Karen Kreider and this is
the showcase for my passion for beads and my love of beadmaking. I've
had this particular obsession since high school (a long time ago, in
a bead shop far away). Since then I've explored other media for my creative
urges (I'm a recovering fiberholic), but somehow the beads always call
me back. I love working with lots of different materials, but my favorites
are Bali silver and freshwater pearls.
Six years ago I
fell in love with fire and hot glass. I've been making flameworked beads
ever since. I love the play of color in the flame and the "miracle" of turning
something that seems to be hard and immutable into something entirely different.
While I do enjoy the more traditional patterened beads, I have the most
fun with sculpture, movement, and more lively designs. I started
out using Moretti (soft) glass, but I've recently starting playing with
borosilicate (hard) glass. It's behavior is quite different and the colors
are more organic and wonderfully (sometimes) unpredictable. I also enjoy
the color variety of Bullseye glass.
Some of you might
recognize my beads and jewelry from my "past life" under the name
Dancing Spider. My life has changed radically over the last two years,
and I felt that a new name reflected my new place in the world and in
my way of thinking. Most significantly, I moved cross-country from Pennsylvania
to Arizona. The desert is more of my home than any place I've ever
been before. I love the colors out here so much, and it's started to
affect my work more and more.
As I re-start
my website, I'm using many pictures of old favorites. I'll be adding
more and making more changes as time allows. I got my torch set up again
in October of 2002, and I've been experimenting with many new designs, as
well as reviving some old favorites. At the moment my jewelry is only available
through this website, so please email me if you are interested in any of
the prices pieces. Also, I'm working on adding an Ebay Store for my regular
bead designs, so they will always be available. For large quantity orders,
please email me directly.
If you would like
to be added to my email list for future auctions and website updates, please
write and let me know. I do not share my addresses or spam in any way, and
will remove you immediately if you request it.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure. I hope you like what you
see.
Updated 2/4/03
