About The Artist
Hi, my name is Sonja Podjan, resident author and artist of the Beads galore web site and the beadwork you see here.
I have been beading for about 7 years now and yes, I am a beadaholic with a syndrome called BAS (Bead Aquisition Syndrome). There is no 12 step program that is going to curb my addiction, I wouldn't go even if there was. I love what I do and don't see that changing. I started doing this to earn extra money at home, I got my kit and made several pairs of earrings and sent them back for inspection. They sent me back all the pairs and told me everything that was wrong with them. I was really discouraged but my wonderful husband encouraged me to try another route. So I found a local craft store that rented booths to local artisans and vwa lah, I had found a new form of relaxation, entertainment and enterprise.
I have taught myself most of the forms of beading that I do. I have taken a few classes to refine my skills and I have a group of ladies that I get together with on a fairly regular basis and we have taught each other a lot! I have also taught a few classes myself to help others become beadaholics like myself, I wouldn't want to be the only one out there in this neck of the woods with my love of beads. I love the art and I love to pass my knowledge on to others.
I have written a book called Split Loom Magic with a co-author Larry Nordhoff. This book is dedicated exclusively to split loom necklaces. There is 20 full-color patterns in the book along with instructions for building your own loom large enough to accommodate a wide and long split loom necklace and instructions and illustrations on how to complete a necklace.
I am in the process of trying to get another book written, also on split loom. I will have at least 20 new patterns and will be expanding ont the instructions in the first book with more about choosing colors and bead types for the necklaces. I am very excited about this book and while the going is slow, I'm starting to get there so keep watch for that.
My husband, who also happens to be named Larry is an artist in his own right. He is a wonderful wood worker. He saw me struggling one day to get my beads to hold still and went out and created the bead board that you will find in the gallery. It is a wood board that is grooved and holds bead beautifully. It has high sides on three sides and a groove at one end that makes cleaning up your beads and getting them back in the container a snap. Of course I think that he is wonderful not only because I love him but also because his bead board has saved me so much time and energy, I think it is worth your time to look at it.
And finally, a note about my children. Well, they really aren't children, they are my cats, Falon who passed on in September 0f 2000 was 17 1/2 years old and had been with me since she was 6 weeks old. Haley who is about 6 and has been with us since he was probably 3 months old and Gimpy who is about 3 went from stray status to much loved house cat in 2000. Next is Ocho - Spanish for 8 because he only has 8 lives left. At nine weeks he was brutally attacked and we thought we would lose him. But now at 1 year old he weighs about 17 pounds and is as healthy and beautiful as ever and as you can see, does sleep once in a while. Brand new to our home is Tre' who is almost 2 years old. She lived in the barn for about 1 1/2 years but then dislocated her hip and had some major complications and was moved to house cat status. I wanted her in the house forever but had to convince Larry that it would work. Being an injured stray cat at my house is definately a good thing. She isn't pictured but will be soon. One more addition is a dog that we recently inherited. Missy is a 3 year old Sheltie she really is a very sweet and intelligent little dog and she is a welcome addition, the cats even think she's okay. Never having any children of my own, my cats and now my dog are my children, and they are young and mischievous, all of them.
Email: slpodjan@cpuinc.net
