PORTFOLIO 1989-2024
On this page, pieces I’ve made with the materials I know and love best: beads and metal.
Without being able to fabricate metal, I could never create the pieces I envision.
Without beads (or compelling found objects), I would lose interest.
I try for spare forms and lush surface textures.
Most of the pieces on this page are decorative in nature, but a few address more substantive concerns -
such as the ones shown at the very bottom.
Thank you for your interest in my work. Please contact me if you have questions.
-Valerie
Unless ortherwise indicated, photo credits for the images below belong to Larry Sanders Visual Images and to Valerie Hector.
"Sinology" Series Brooch, ca. 2001
"Bamiyan" Brooch, 2009
"Thistle" Earrings
"Bodhi" Brooch
"Cinnabar Lotus" Brooch/Pendant
Valerie with her "Great Wall of Beads," 2000 / Photo by Michael and Karen Delott
"Cinnabar Spiral" Earrings
"Cinnabar and Sterling" Lariat
"Cinnabar and Sterling" Chain Necklace
"Swallows" Brooch #1
"Rust Lotus" Necklace, 2003
"Winter Wheat" Necklace, 2024
"China Spring" Necklace
"Confetti" Series Earrings
"Celestial Spheres" Series Bracelet
"Confetti" Series Earrings
"Acorn" Necklace, 1989
"Still Life" Earrings
"Double Layer Sterling Lotus" Necklace, 2006
"Fiesta" Necklaces, 2024
"I'm Speaking" Necklace, 2024
"Flower Ball" Earrings, 2024
"Thistle" Necklace
Sterling "Lattice" Earrings, 2021
Sterling "Lattice" Earrings, 2021
Tassel Earrings
Rust Cube Brooch
"Confetti" Series Brooch
"Veneration" Brooch, 2007
"Lotus Alhambra" Brooch
Sterling "Lattice and Wheel" Necklace
Sterling Bezels on Soldering Board / For "Lotus Alhambra" Brooch
"Elements" Necklace, 2008
"Confetti" Series Earrings in 14K Gold \
Removable Sterling "Charm" Necklaces
"Ladder" Bracelets, 2001
"Sterling Double Layer Lotus" Necklace
"Reversible Cantilevered Alhambra" Necklace - Periwinkle Side
"Reversible Cantilevered Alhamabra" Necklace - Lime Green Side
Tubular Polygon Stitch Necklace, 2002
"Cagings" Series Necklace
"Rust Cityscape" Brooch, 2003 Photo by Larry Sanders
"Golden Moon" Brooch
"3-D Sterling Lattice" Series Necklace
Detail, Various Beaded Necklaces
Valerie Hector Studying Antique Chinese Hair Ornaments, 2019
"Rust Lotus" Brooch, 2003
"Rotating Cylinders"Necklace in Autumnal Colors
"Cinnabar and Snow" Necklace Elements
"Confetti" Series Necklace, 2001
"Moonlit Night" Brooch
"Seaside Village" Necklace
"Silk Road Series" Necklace
"China Spring" Necklace, 2006
Valerie Hector with Her "Wall of Beads," 2021
Reversible Cantilevered Alhambra Necklace in Cinnaman and Cerise
Tapered Brooches, 1992
Charm Necklace, 2022
"Complex Three Layer Sphere" Necklace
Tubular Polygon Stitch Rope Necklaces
"Layered Leaf" Pendant
"Swallows" Brooch #1
Sterling "Accordion" Bracelet, 2006
'Mosaic Harlequin Leaf" Earrings
Rotating Cylinders" Necklace in Desert Rose
"Tubular Polygon Stitch" Series Necklace, 60"
"Seafoam and Apricot" Necklace of Valerie's Vintage Beaded Beads, 2022
"Mosaic Harlequin Flower" Earrings, 2024
"Heaven on Earth" Necklace, 2023
Detail, "Citron and Fuschia" Lariat Necklace, 2021
Profile of Valerie Hector in American Craft Magazine April May 2001
Two Spirals with Complex Sterling Sphere
Sterling "Mirah" Earrings
Spiral Earrings in Sky Blue and Black
"Red Star" Brooch, 2002
Sterling Tapering Spiral Necklace Element
Beaded Bead Necklace in Amethyst and Sea Green, 2023
"Sinology" Series Brooch
"Tubular Polygon Stitch" Series Necklace, 40"
Sterling "Triple Spiral" Brooch
"Cobalt and Periwinkle" Necklaces, 2023
"Sterling Spirals" Necklace
Sterling "Fish Bubble" Brooch
"Dreamscape" Brooch
"Abacus" and "Festive Triangles" Brooches
"Spirals and Kite" Brooch
Link to MJSA Podcast Featuring Valerie Hector / September 2022
"Rectangle" Brooch
"Windowpane" Brooch / Pendant
Back of Sterling Bezel for "Windowpane" Brooch / Pendant
"Red Ribbon" Necklace, 2002 Photo by Ralph Gabriner
"Hua Ping" (Flower Pot) Brooch
"Red Ribbon" Necklace, 2002
"Polygon Weave" Necklace in Red and Brone
Sterling "Still Life" Series Ring, 2021
14 Karat Gold "Kite" Earrings, 2025
Two "Zig Zag" Series Necklaces
Link to Metalsmith Magazine's 1994 "Exhibition in Print" with Cover Featuring Valerie's "Ship of Transition" Brooch.
"Mini Sterling Sphere" Ring, 2021
"Celestial Spheres" Series Necklace, 2004 Photo by Larry Sanders
Trio of Beaded Elements Necklace Photo by Larry Sanders
"Starry Sky" Cylinder Necklace, 2024
"Teal Orb" Earrings on 18K Wires
Trio of Sterling Elements, 2022
Profile of Valerie Hector / Smithsonian Magaine May 2000
"Gumdrop Chandelier" Earrings on Model, 2023
"Pillows" Bracelet, 2006 Photo by Larry Sanders
"Gumdrop Chandelier" Earrings, 2023
Detail, "Spiral Bracelet" Photo by Larry Sanders
"Sphere and Spiral" Necklace, 2009 Photo by Larry Sanders
Detail, "Lattice" Necklace
Sterling "Pillow" Earrings
"Abstractions" Necklace, 2009 Photo by Larry Sanders
"Cylinder" Earrings Photo by Larry Sanders
Detail, "Lattice" Necklace, 2017 Photo by Larry Sanders
"Frieda" Earrings in Lime & Turquoise Photo by Larry Sanders
Detail, "Hexagonal Lattice" Necklace
"Triangle" Brooch, 2006
"Lattice" Necklace, 2017 Photo by Larry Sanders
Antique Chinese Glass Bead and 14k Gold Earrings
"Ladder, Wheel and Sphere" Necklace
Detail, "Lattice" Necklace
"Proxemics" Necklace, 2004
"Traces" Necklace, 2017 Photo by Larry Sanders
Detail, "Sterling Lattice" Series Necklace
"Lattice" Necklace, 2017 Photo by Larry Sanderd
"Swallows" Brooch #2 Photo by Larry Sanders
"Chrysanthemum" Brooch, 2009
Sterling "Lattice" Lariat
"Tank on a Tear," by Valerie Hector. Brooch of sterling silver hollow form elements; sterling silver beads; vintage European gilt plastic charms; vintage enameled metal badge from China's Cultural Revolution era; Chinese water caltrop seed pod beads.
"Bonfires at Kirti" by Valerie Hector. Brooch of sterling silver; vintage European gilt plastic charms; vintage enameled badges from China's Cultural Revolution era.
"Words to Starve By," by Valerie Hector. Brooch made of antique Chinese wood carving; sterling silver; vintage plastic badges from China's Cultural Revolution era.