"Art is essential to our quality of life. It is the undeniable
 expression of the creative human spirit -- that force that drives 
our human souls to enlightenment and joy."    

                       -- Tess Snyder, Jewelry Artist

ArtTess features the handmade creations of jewelry artist and designer, Tess Snyder. Tess' one-of-a-kind creations feature unique, handmade chains, bead and wire necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more. In honor of Mother Earth, she focuses exclusively on natural materials—semi-precious stones and precious metals with a bit of handmade glass—in her work. In addition to making her own unique line of jewelry, Tess teaches jewelry making classes at in-home parties and at local community centers.

Tess seeks the most beautiful and unusual stone and handmade glass beads for her creations, complementing them with her own nature-inspired, hand-worked wire shapes and links. Unusual stone and color combinations combined with these handmade components result in her signature look: a bit of whimsy with a lot of style.

When creating each piece, Tess pays special attention to the mystical properties of stones, resulting in unique jewelry designed to empower the wearer. Many customers remark not only on the beauty of her work, but that they “feel different” when wearing her creations. Throughout her designs are the recurring symbols of the spiral of life, the stars of dreams and desires, the Native American medicine wheel, and the blossoming flower of enlightenment. 

A native of St. Albans, West Virginia, Tess exhibited her love for art and craft at an early age. Rather than play with dolls or other conventional toys, she was much more content creating with glue, paper, paint and pencil. 

A former opera singer and Wall Street marketing director, Tess currently lives with her young daughter, Vivian (at left), in Chillicothe, Ohio, where she teaches music and drama at a local high chool and makes jewelry in her home studio. She is a member of the Ohio Designer Craftsman and the Chillicothe Art League.