My home and studio is based near Chicago, Illinois, USA
Followed many artistic pursuits:
Having worked in photography, printmaking, painting, dollmaking, quilting, ceramics and lampworking glass beads, I finally found my creative home in jewelry making. I’ve been working with beads and jewelry design full time since 1991. 
Education:
Masters Degree in Arts Administration, University of Illinois at Springfield
Fine Arts Degree, Drawing and Printmaking, University of Kansas, Lawrence
Been around the kidney block:
On kidney hemodialysis from 1992 – 2002
Received living donor kidney transplant in 2002 from a Hero cousin, from 2002-2022
Back on dialysis again after 20+ years with my transplant as a result of going through chemotherapy for a blood cancer
Past boards, lectures, panels:
Patient Advisory Council for Baxter Industries since 1997
Patient Advocate/Board of Trustees for the Renal Network #9-10, Indianapolis, IN
Patient Advocate on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., with Renal Support Network
National Kidney Foundation of Illinois, patient education panel presentations
Interviews:
Video series “Cause for Action,” Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL
Video series “People First,” Sigma-Tau Phamaceuticals, Gaithersburg, MD
Copley News Sun, Waukegan, IL. “World of Beads, Artistry Serves as Healing Tool,” by Carol Smith
Chicago Tribune, “Art Heals,” by Meg Murphy
Podcast on Renal Support Network’s KidneyTalk: “Why We Love to Create,” Interviewed by Lori Hartwell
Other Interests:
When I’m not designing and creating jewelry, I’m probably writing, gardening, cooking, baking, enjoying family, planning/giving parties or going to antique markets in search of elusive antique beads and kidney shaped items.
Please take a peek at my other lines of jewelry (non kidney) at these websites:
www.myraschwartz.com
The bead jewelry I create comes from a vast collection of beads and vintage jewelry parts that I’ve squirreled away for the last 40+ years.
I particularly enjoy using vintage jewelry components to repurpose and create new one-of-a-kind pieces.
www.pipedreamer.net
This site has my signature one-of-a-kind Pipe Series of necklaces which integrates Victorian/Edwardian era Meerschaum pipes with collectible beads from my massive accumulation.
This Pipe Necklace is #171 in my series, titled “Ondine.” Victorian mermaid pipe, artisan glass beads, vintage & antique beads, sterling mermaid toggle closure. Sold
Necklace of antique buckles and beads, with vintage glass and Swarovski glass pearls, Sold
Necklace of antique cape buckle half, vintage beads & chain, Sold
I love working with unusual pearls! This necklace and other pearl pieces are available at: myraschwartz.com