HI! I’m Cody and I grew up in a small town in Eastern Oregon known for its yearly Round-Up, which is an annual rodeo that started in 1910. Growing up I always wanted to live in a “Big City,” so when I had a chance to move to Seattle in 1999 I jumped at it and never looked back! I believe Seattle is one of the most beautiful cities, and I love living so close to the water and the mountains.
I dabbled in many different crafts and hobbies growing up ranging from sewing to refurnishing antique furniture. I got a late start on beading as I didn’t really get into it until I moved to Seattle. I came across this great little bead shop called Fusion Beads in the Wallingford neighborhood and I fell in love. I took all kinds of classes from basic wire wrapping to bead weaving. Then one day in 2009 I saw that they were looking for a jewelry designer for their e-commerce site, and I thought I would give it a shot. I’m so lucky that I get to work for a great company with such an amazing team of people and get to be creative every day!
Besides making jewelry in my home studio, I love to garden. Working in the dirt and watching all of the beautiful flowers bloom makes me so happy. I also like to do Encaustic paintings. I love the layers and texture you can build with this technique. I have two black cats (because, let’s face it, black cats rock) that keep me company at home while and I am crafting or gardening. Their names are Mr. Fred and Little Miss and they are both rescue kitties. I volunteer at a local cat rescue, and I have found this work to be so rewarding in so many ways.
Little Miss and Mr. Fred
A few of my all-time favorite inspiration pieces on Fusion’s site are the Peacock Earrings, Garden Treasures Bracelet, Seafoam Petals Earrings, Dazzling Cascade Earrings and the Earth Treasures Bracelet. I love metalworking, and in my personal jewelry I like to incorporate riveting, dapping and messy wire wrapping. I have had my jewelry designs featured in Jewelry Stringing, Wirework, and Beadwork magazines, just to name a few.
Dazzling Cascade EarringsEarth Treasures Bracelet
I also made our Spring Time bracelet for this week to highlight a piece that incorporates my favorite colors and style!
Check out our About Us page to see more of my favorite products and inspiration!
Happy Beading – Cody
Hi,you really make beautiful jewelry,you love it and it shows.It’s fun when your work is something you love to do! I’ll be looking for your work,keep up the good work.
Nice to meet you! My, what a well rounded person to do all the hobbies you do!
Thank you for the interview and for your wonderful designs. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate having them for inspiration and instruction.
Hey Cody, loved your story and how you came upon Fusion Beads. My sister lived in Seattle for awhile and I loved visiting as I then lived in SF, which is a sister city to Seattle. I also TNR for several feral colonies in Austin, Texas and love to bead. Great to hear we are kindred spirits. Love your designs and thanks so much. ~Jennifer
Hi Cody! :)
Great to meet you Cody xx