Local artist uses Wheaton shop to share her passion

The owner of a new Wheaton store vividly recalls her fascination with art had already developed by the time she was five.

Her father was digging holes at their Indiana farm and she took the clay from the ground to make dishes. She couldn't understand why they cracked.

Betty James Hoppensteadt pursued her love for art over the years. She recently opened The Genuine Art icle at 204 W. Wesley in Wheaton. The store is a combination of a studio workshop gallery and bead shop.

Hoppensteadt teaches an array of classes dealing with all aspects of beadwork. "I teach bead stringing, jewelry design and kaleidoscope making," she said.

Hoppensteadt teaches classes in lampwork bead making, which uses a torch to melt glass rods into sculptural beads, and jewelry making techniques using metal, wire and polymer clays.

The business owner has been teaching for the past 10 years at the College of DuPage.

"I love showing people how to make things," Hoppensteadt said. "Education is a big part of what we do here," she said.

Customers can come in and find all the beads and clasps needed to make their own necklace or other jewelry.

She said she has a nice color selection of Swarovski crystal. Shoppers also will find a large array of metal charms.

Another popular item to make at the shop is charms that go around the stem of a wine glass so people don't mix up their glasses at parties.

Women host bridal parties and other social gatherings at the shop to make bead items. Birthday parties for children are also offered.

The entrepreneur also features a book section where people can browse with a cup of coffee to search for ideas.

"I want people to come in and feel comfortable."

The shop's gallery, featuring local artists as well as internationally known artists, is becoming increasingly popular.

Hoppensteadt features kaleidoscopes created by well known designers Judith Paul, Sue Rioux and Janice Chesnik. Popular Frogman sculptures have also been in demand.

Hoppensteadt and her husband, Dale, have raised two children in Glen Ellyn, where they lived for 25 years. The couple now reside in Winfield. Dale owns Switchboard Apparatus, an Elmhurst company that designs and manufactures electrical distribution equipment.

Hoppensteadt jokes that it was her husband's idea to find studio space as she continued to bring more powerful bead-making equipment into their home.

Lampwork beads are her specialty. She holds a Masters Degree in Art Education from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelors of Science in Fine Arts and a minor in Education from Valparaiso University.

The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. The shop is reserved Sunday afternoons for private parties.

For more, check out www.bettyjamesstudios.com or call (630) 690-2323.