Liz Smith has lived most of her life in Los Angeles except for 15 years she spent teaching in Germany for the Department of Defense Overseas Schools. During numerous trips to Venice, she became fascinated with beads, and today finds inspiration everywhere. “Beading has become my passion, my obsession, and my new career since retiring from the elementary school classroom twelve years ago. I love creating a piece of jewelry that causes people to stop and stare, to reach out, and touch.”