The name Dark Poet Designs was lifted from my one-line resume:

"...wife, mother, Girl Scout leader, dark poet..."

In 1998, a series of set-backs was countered by a series of new endeavors. Poems I'd scribbled for two years became my first chapbook. A six-week session of dance classes seeded an ongoing love affair with Argentine tango. A single beading class lead to Dark Poet Designs.

This website serves primarily as a virtual gallery to preview work before one of our studio shows, or check on what's new before setting up a viewing appointment. You may order directly from this site by contacting me via email, but I'd love for you to see my work firsthand. Beads are meant to be touched, tried on, worn against the skin, or tried on over a favorite outfit. Digital photos can't do justice to the tactile sensations, hidden details, or little surprises enjoyed when you try on a necklace. Studio shows are a chance for friends to meet, play a bit of dress-up together, and shop for something special.

With very few exceptions, each design is done as a one-of-a-kind creation. Most use vintage glass beads, usually post-war German and Japanese. Other ingredients may include freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones, Swarowski crystals, Bali silver, seed beads, and interesting sterling silver or bronze clasps.

Also featured on this site are bead designs & other fine craftwork by some of my favorite people. Click on Friends to view some of their work.

Work is priced as necklace/earring sets, but necklaces may be purchased separately, with a small discount. Likewise, earwires may be exchanged for posts, or vice versa, and many necklaces may be re-strung slightly longer or shorter for a moderate re-stringing fee. Only one earring is pictured in photos unless the pair is an unmatched design.

My prices are artist-direct "studio" prices; most would be doubled if sold through a retail shop or gallery. Our prices include New Mexico gross receipts tax for the Village of Los Ranchos (no added tax). Any shipping & packing &/or insurance expenses are extra.

— Karen Reck