Marilyn Cohen is a jewelry designer and dedicated bead collector who uses outstanding beads in inventive combinations. She takes great pleasure in finding beads on her world travels......on the itinerary are flea markets, native villages, vintage malls and bead shows.

One such discovery took place on a recent trip to Taiwan. In the southern part of the island several tribes of native communities, who have lived there since long before it was settled by the Han Chinese people, are still flourishing. One group, the Paiwan, has a centuries-old tradition of making very colorful ceramic beads. The present generation has continued the tradition; Marilyn was fortunate to be able to visit and get some of their beads. These are beads that cannot be found anywhere else.

At home in her studio she lives amidst this fabulous museum of beads; the beads group themselves in her mind's eye, and VOILA!!, gorgeous necklaces are created. It's very likely that one of them will look as if it were custom-made for YOU.

Marilyn's work will be included at the New York Philharmonic Gift Kiosk, Lincoln Center, during the 2010-2011 symphony season.

She schedules private exhibitions of her work periodically in Chicago and New York City.

Opportunities to see her work can be arranged in Hong Kong, January-February 2011 and in Naples, Florida, March-April 2011.

Custom work can be specially arranged. Earrings to match or coordinate with necklaces can be ordered.