I’ve always had a love for art, even as a child. I loved to draw, and horses were my favorite subjects. The school I grew up in was small and didn’t offer any art courses so I was left to learn on my own.
As I grew older I’ve found myself playing in all kinds of media, textiles, oil painting, ceramics, and others. I was always taking classes to learn more about what I was trying out. As I felt accomplished in a media I found myself moving to other forms, always with a desire to learn more and always admiring other artists work.
In the mid 90’s I was intrigued by a beautiful piece of seed bead jewelry and wanted to buy it. It was not for sale but there was a class! I took it and the rest of that story is history. I learned all I could about beadwork. I took classes, went to the bead shows, entered juried competitions, etc.
My love for natural stones led me to develop a technique for beading around stone cabochons without using leather on the back. My first teacher, Ann Cantrell, who encouraged me to develop the technique, then encouraged me to write an article for Bead and Button magazine, which was published in the December 1999 issue. It was so exciting to be published.
Precious metal clay was my next media and caught my attention while I was exploring the bead scene. Sondra Busch, one of the PMC Connection senior teachers came to the local gem and mineral show with an array of PMC pieces and I knew that I wanted to be certified and teach this wonderful new product. The pieces that I have been able to create have blended and melded with my beadwork so beautifully and has drawn me into a new world of wonderful artists.
I was also introduced to glass fusing during my PMC certification process. Marlynda Taylor another senior PMC Connection teacher taught me how to fuse glass a month later. I had always loved glass art and fusing the glass just pushed all my buttons.
Since becoming involved with my beadwork, PMC, and glass fusing, I have found that my life and art have taken a very positive path. I feel very good about my work now and can be relaxed and enjoy what I do. It has opened many new avenues that I would not have found without them. I see myself continuing with beads, silver, and glass for many years to come. It makes me very happy.

Elisa Cossey