Karen Parker is a scientist and bead artist currently living in upstate New York.  Karen has had a long career as a molecular biologist and has lived in Switzerland, England and the U.S.  Saddened by a lack of colors and textures in her molecular work, Karen always maintained an interest in quilting.  This evolved into a love of bead weaving and the creation of beaded insect jewelry, inspired by her husband's entomological interests and a recent position at the University of Vermont.  Recent works have focused on mandalas and geometric shapes.