nicky brown

I am Nicky Brown. I have an artist firmly in my heart and a maker's blood running
through my veins.

I had a wonderful childhood growing up under African skies. My family moved back to
the UK where I graduated as a teacher, a career which has provided me with rich and
diverse experiences.

Throughout it all I have loved being creative from interior decorating and paint effects
to pottery, crochet, needlefelting, crepe paper flowers and jewellery making and I hold
a Professional Diploma in sugarcraft. I have trained under the watchful eye of the
paint effects guru Annie Sloan and have completed a number of interior decorating
and painted furniture commissions. They say "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree"
and I take pride in the fact that my creativity comes from my father who was a Master
Furniture Maker and a Woodwork Teacher Trainer. It's all in the genes.

My principle love is the world of freeform 3 dimensional bead art, where beads are
used in a sculptural way, with the beads dictating the outcome rather than following a
strict pattern. Sometimes other materials are included such as paper, felt, wire and
fabric. Colour and nature are the primary inspirations for my work. The range of
wonderful colours and textures allow the imagination to run wild and allow pieces to
evolve that evoke the ocean, the mountains, forests and flowers, to name a few. The
gentle and meditative way these pieces are made is so good for the soul, both for the
maker and for the viewer. I use as many reclaimed and preloved beads as possible
and spend many an hour deconstructing tangled necklaces to reveal their treasure.

My favourite commissions are pieces made with beads that are special to the client, to
keep as a lasting memory.
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I am also a teacher, sharing my love of beaded sculpture. I am based in South
Oxfordshire but, for eager beaders, I will travel.


Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @nickybrownartist