Sheila Fernekes
![A necklace by artist Sheila Fernekes with colorful beadwork in blue, yellow, and tan,](https://www.wheatonarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fernekes1.jpg)
![A tan and orange stone is surrounded by earthy colored beads in brown, yellow, red, and a pastel blue. Artist: Sheila Fernekes.](https://www.wheatonarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fernekes3.jpg)
![A necklace by artist Sheila Fernekes with circle and oblong textured beads in orange, blue, green, and purple.](https://www.wheatonarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fernekes2.jpg)
![Two beaded bracelets in different thicknesses. Each bracelet has a matching pattern of pastel beads in purple, green, robin's egg blue, and yellow.](https://www.wheatonarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Fernekes4.jpg)
Sheila Fernekes Design Studio
Flemington, NJ
Website
Sheila Fernekes creates contemporary art jewelry, weaving and layering each bead one at a time to achieve the interplay of color, pattern, and texture that has become her trademark. In addition to traditional materials and gemstones, Sheila incorporates polymer clay and steel wire in her designs, accentuating the qualities of these materials in her work. Her love of Impressionism and Bauhaus art inspires her unique designs.
Following graduation from Rutgers University, where she studied fine art and art education, Sheila pursued graphic design at the School of Visual Arts and Parsons School of Design while teaching art in public school. She then worked as a self-employed graphic designer and public relations/marketing specialist for two decades before making jewelry creation her full-time career. In addition to achieving Master Artisan status from the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, Sheila has received special recognition and benchmark of excellence awards from several juried shows in which she participates.