Center Valley Artist Creates Exotic Egyptian Beadwork

Gloria Leight was working at an art museum in Phoenix, Az. when someone gave her two lessons in beadwork.

"And I've never stopped," said Leight, who has a home studio in Center Valley and displayed her exotic creations at the 41st annual Lehigh Valley Gem & Mineral Show presented March 25-26 by the Saucon Valley Lions Club. (The show runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Saucon Valley Senior High School in Hellertown. Admission is $6.50 for adults).

Leight is known for her one-of-a-kind pieces that employ both classic Native American and European knotting techniques.

She says her trademark is "shimmering, wearable art with the look of ancient royalty."

Leight teaches at Northampton Community College.

Assisting her at the gem show was friend Todd Newman of Bethlehem. Newman uses a Japanese loom called a maru dai to weave colorful cords for Leight's amulet bags.