Marty Willey

Neither my education – BA in Anthropology – nor my profession – Computer Programmer – prepared me for what has become my creative passion – beaded jewelry design. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, I moved north to attend SUNY Albany. A “crafter” for years – dabbling in everything from pottery to knitting, soft sculpture, embroidery and sculpting with polymer clay – I received some amethyst and Botswana agate stone chips as a gift. This seemingly trivial gift introduced me to the world of stones and design. And so, with the encouragement and guidance of a knowledgeable friend, I embarked on a second career. I am lucky to enjoy both the design process and the fruits of that labor since many of my clients have taken the time to share their pleasure in their acquisitions.

My work has been represented in New York State at the Mimosa Gallery, Saratoga Springs, Riverfront Studios, Schaghticoke, Departures (the Albany International Airport gift shop) as well as the Albany Institute of History and Art, the Vanderbilt Mansion museum shop in Hyde Park, and the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. Most recently my designs can be found in the Attic Gallery, Camas and Aurora Gallery, Vancouver.

-Marty Willey