Highlights:

The Artists

Wendy & Joe Price, are the artists of Imperial Designs "Truly Unique Jewelry". Their home studio is in San Antonio, Texas. They have a small parrot named "Ruby" that goes to most of the shows, and a watch cat that stays home. Joe has two sons and one grandson. "Sadly, we lost our longtime watch cat of 13 years in December 2006.  He was a true companion and will be forever missed and remembered." 

Wendy and Joe are members of Gypsy M/C International.  Wendy is currently "Treasurer" for the Alamo City chapter.  Joe is currently International Sgt-at-Arms. They help to coordinate and work at Alamo City's St. Valentine's Day Massacre rally, which is a yearly fund raiser for "Equestrian Therapy" to help disabled children and adults. They also enjoy going for rides on their motorcycles.

They are also members of the "San Antonio Bead & Ornament Society" and the "Houston Bead Society".

Wendy

Wendy's artistic abilities started at an early age. She loved to draw with colors and won several drawing awards in elementary school as well as maintaining high grades in various art media's and sewing classes up through Jr. High. Around the age of 10 her grandmother introduced her to beads, and they strung beaded necklaces together. In Jr. High she discovered a love for Volleyball, which put all her artistic endeavors on hold for several years.

In 1984 while living in Tucson, AZ she discovered seed beads, learned several hand weaving and stringing techniques and started making jewelry. A bead-a-holic frame of mind took over, forcing her to start her massive bead collection. In 1990 she started selling her beaded jewelry in small craft shows as a means to buy more beads. In January of 2001 instructional videos and books sparked her interest enough to start practicing the art of wire sculpture. In May of 2001, with great support from her husband, the company "Imperial Designs" was created.

Not unlike many artists, Wendy is basically self taught with some outside guidance, but has not had any formal schooling or training for her art. Wendy's naturally artistic sense of design, color and shape create stunning wearable works of art. She continues to grow in her abilities and it really shows in her creations.

Joe

Joe is a devout tool-a-holic, so it wasn't hard for him to become interested in making jewelry since he saw it as an opportunity to buy more tools! Joe attended a silversmith and soldering class at a local jewelers supply. He became hooked and wanted to learn more bench techniques so he started doing repairs for the store in trade for lessons. Joe received additional metalsmith training from artist /professor/instructor Holly Goekler at San Antonio College. Joe has mastered the technique of making prong rings out of wire, which is one of the most difficult and precise settings in wire. His creative preference is goldsmith and silversmith, and currently works on repairs and custom pieces. Joe plans to become a certified bench jeweler in the near future. He pretends to like beads to keep peace at home.

Mission Statement

To create the highest of quality, unique wearable works of art.