Judy Richards, the lampwork bead artist / jeweler with Etsy shop http://catldy99.etsy.com lives on the US 'left coast' in Portland, Oregon. Judy is inspired by nature and has some very sensitive and charming naturalistic animal, flower and figurative beads in her store, but says she loves abstract lampwork most of all. As that is also my favorite, Judy's abstract work will be the focus of this article.
The image header is of one of Judy's bracelets with great, cheerful color and detailed lampwork beads in profusion. It includes a sterling silver 'prayer' box charm, and another sterling charm with a kanji, which is a Chinese character that is used in modern Japanese writing. Perhaps a blog reader who understands Japanese will let us know what it means.
The image above shows a choker necklace where Judy strings her lampwork lentil-shaped beads with semi-precious Turquoise. She also made the pendant which combines silver PMC and lampwork glass, a technical feat I haven't seen before. Precious Metal Clay (PMC) consists of microscopic particles of silver or gold suspended in a pliable material with a consistency similar to modeling clay. It can be worked to create a vast range of forms and surfaces. When heated to a high temperature, the binder burns away and the metal particles fuse to form solid metal that can be sanded, soldered, colored and polished like fine silver or gold. 
You can also purchase individual beads and matching bead sets from Judy. Here's a beauty with rich blues and some silver foil and would make a lovely pendant. Judy says in the Profile section of her store that her dream buyer is the Sundance catalog. Are you listening, Robert Redford?
And here's another bracelet where Judy's vibrantly colored and textured beads are set off with Turquoise and Swarovski crystal. Judy is a member of the Portland Bead Society, the ORBS (Oregon Regional Beadmakers Society) and the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers).
Judy is also one of the members of the "90 Features in 90 Days Challenge" and you can read her reviews of the other members at http://www.catldy99.wordpress.com.
