Thea Kolosseos-Kendis has been selling her extraordinary beaded jewelry for over ten years, although she has been studying her craft (using the word in its highest sense) for much longer. Her business, SPARKLE PLENTY FINE BEADED JEWELLERY, is becoming increasingly famous for innovative design, attention to detail and friendly customer service,.

While she has a wonderful sense of style, what sets Thea's work apart most is her use of colors and the way she combines them. Her inspirations are as diverse as nature (the jacaranda tree in our backyard) and college football (the home uniforms of the University of Hawaii team). You have to admire someone with a mind like that.

I love to peek in on Thea when she's at her work-table. She becomes utterly absorbed in what she's doing. I think when she's making jewelry, she's more alive than she is at any other time; certainly, that's when she's happiest. She puts a tremendous amount of her vibrant self into each piece that she makes.

Maybe that's what makes her work the most special: that whoever owns a piece of Sparkle Plenty jewelry has a little piece of Thea, too. Perhaps I'm prejudiced, but I can't help thinking what a great thing that is.