I was born in Romania. I studied French at the University of Cluj. I taught French literature and French as a second language in Bucharest, Romania and later in Washington DC, pursuing meanwhile my artistic inclinations. Currently I live in New York.

My unique jewelry designs in elegant styles are all handmade from semiprecious stones, genuine pearls and tiny beads composing a whole world of colors and shapes in each piece: flowers, hearts, ladybugs, butterflies. I am inspired by nature and one of my most important goals is to express in my jewelry the eternal qualities of our highest feelings.

Imagine a small piece of jewelry in which color, form and shape is combined in order to please the eye.
I think a lot about my pieces. Sometimes I get inspired by the semiprecious stones I find. I put them together with pearls and/or colorful seed beads in a specific design, carefully coordinating the colors to achieve a natural, shaded look by incorporating several nuances of beads for each color I choose.
My goal is to create stylized designs that bring more beauty to everyday life, inspire good feelings and increase self-awareness in the lasting symbols that are always present: love, faith, sincerity, purity, hope, renewal, and good luck.

AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS:

"Bead & Button Magazine": Issue #14, December 1996 & Issue #42, April 2001, features work by Ileana Munteanu

"The Crafts Report " May 2001- INSIGHT section featuring Jewelry

"The Crafts Report " January 2007 – article by Darcel Rocket: Ileana Munteanu- Ambassador of Jewelry

"BEAD & BUTTON SHOW", Gleaming Treasures, FINALIST, 2001 (Entry: MAGICAL TIME: 12 Brooches)

"FIRE MOUNTAIN Gems and Beads", Beading Contest, FINALIST, 2004 (Entry: LADYBUG PIN)

WORLD ARTISAN GEMS! Interview:
http://worldartisangems.com/2008/08/27/ileana-munteanu-enchanted-beads/

Visit my other shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5164250
http://www.artfire.com/users/enchantedbeads