Sandra Yavorcik, the artisan behind Minkamoo Studios in rural Winchester, Ohio, has been crafting fine contemporary jewelry since 1991, following the loss of her daughter, Cherie. Sandra inherited the love of beads from her Croatian grandmother, Minka; as a young girl she was fascinated by her glimmering beaded jewelry and rosaries. The name of her studio is a combination of her grandmother's nickname, Minka, and her own nickname, Moo.

She credits her ethics, technique and discipline of the art to bead designer and mentor, Carol Wilcox Wells. Also, dichroic fused glass teacher Shirley Webster, metals teacher Barbara Joiner, and glass jewelry teacher Jayne Persico.

Sandra uses Myuki Delica glass beads and Swarovski crystals and is always in search of antique and crystal glass beads to complement her designer jewelry and amulet purses.

Recently Sandra began creating fused dichroic glass jewels. Each unique piece she creates is designed to invoke images known only to the individual wearing it.

In her studio, Sandra teaches bead classes or individual sessions. She is beginning her second year of teaching fused glass classes at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina.