Ruth Tamura has for years assembled random materials into her jewelry, repurposing them into objects that can be worn as bold art forms that encourage viewer enjoyment, examination, and participation.

Originally from Hawaii, Ruth came to California in 1963 to study at the California College of Arts and Crafts (CCAC) where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1966. In 1969 she received an MFA in Glass from CCAC (now the California College of the Arts) and simultaneously a MFA in Ceramics from Mills College. Ruth was responsible for setting up the Graduate Glass Program at CCAC. In the summer of 1971 she helped start what would become the Pilchuck Glass School, in Stanwood, Washington, with Dale Chihuly.

Ruth received a Rockefeller Fellowship in Museum Studies at the deYoung Museum and has worked in museums both in Hawaii and the Bay Area: The Honolulu Academy of Arts, Judiciary History Center, Waipahu Cultural Garden Park and Plantation Village, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii and the San Francisco Airport Museum.

For her current body of work, Ruth has used plastic fishing line given to her by her close friend, Bay Area fiber artist and weaver Kay Sekimachi, to make dynamic necklaces and brooches. Twisting the industrial material into organic, compelling shapes, Ruth creates a marriage of disparate pieces.

At the Museum Store we also feature her raku-fired ceramic bead necklaces. Using a 16th century Japanese firing technique, each bead is removed from the kiln while still glowing hot and is placed in a flammable material, such as sawdust or newspaper. The resulting fire deprives the surface of oxygen, creating unique colors and patterns.

Measures 20“ long, with beads graduating from approximately 0.86” to 1.25” diameter.