Dr. Melissa Senetar started beading as a fun and fashionable way to relax during college. After completing a degree in Biology and Chemistry from Pikeville College and subsequently, a Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky, she headed North with her husband Michael and two cats to be a research fellow at the University of Wisconsin. There she joined the Madison Bead Society--an open group of bead enthusiasts that gathered monthly to share their love and knowledge of beading. This provided a great forum for her to explore various aspects of jewelry design and she quickly discovered a passion for working with metal, stone, and beads.   After returning to her home state of Kentucky, she decided to start a business to honor her work as a scientist, but also to promote her love of beading. As the owner of and artist behind PhbeaD, LLC, Melissa takes pride in designing functional, wearable works of art with a hint of modern flare. Each design is generated using traditional solderless wire wrapping, wire weaving, chainmaille, and/or basic beading techniques. The tactile aspects of beading such as shape and texture inspire Melissa; therefore the physical characteristics of each stone tend to guide her designs. Ultimately, she hopes to follow her HEART and open an upscale bead store dedicated to the History, Education, Art, cReativity, and Technique of beading.

Her work is currently on display at the Painted Cow Gallery in Louisa, KY and the Alternative Jewelry Shop in Nicholasville, KY.  Melissa is a member of the following organizations: