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Cynthia Toops and Dan Adams have been collaborating since 1986, inspired by The History of Beads by Lois Dubin.  In 1990, after attending glass classes at Pratt Center in Seattle, Adams  specialized in fabricating glass beads while Toops focused on the potential of Polymer Clay.

Cynthia Toops received her BA in Biology from Drake University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1979. She studied Printmaking at the University of Washington in Seattle, graduating with a BFA in 1983. Throughout her career, Toops has experimented with many different techniques in polymer clay, from inlay and onlay to micromosaics. The versatility of the material allows Toops to borrow from ancient techniques resulting in works that combine both the modern and traditional.

Dan Adams works full time in a hospital laboratory and creates his wonderful glass beads at night and on weekends. He has recently started metalworking and wood carving. Having received his BA in Anthropology in 1988 from the University of Washington in Seattle, Adams is intrigued with the history of glass and the use of beads throughout many of the world's cultures. He was orginally inspired by Chinese Warring States beads but since he has incorporated tribal pattern, contemporary design, and natural history into his beads.

The artists' work can be found in various public collections including: Kobe Lampwork Glass Museum, Japan; Mingei International Museum, CA; Museum of Arts and Design, NY; Museum of Contemporary Craft, OR; Museum of Fine Arts Boston, MA; Newark Museum of Art, NJ; Philadelphia Museum of Art, PA; Racine Art Museum, WI; and Tacoma Art Museum, WA. CYNTHIA TOOPS
& DAN ADAMS

WOOD

October 14 - November 11, 2023

For our exhibition at Mobilia Gallery, Dan and I decided to work on a wood themed show. Some of the pieces were based on trees or wood, while others included a wood element as part of the design. I worked on the micromosaics in all the pieces, while Dan carved and inlaid most of the wood in addition to the metal work on quite a few of the other pieces.

We also invited five metalsmith friends to create bezels for the show. They are Nancy Bonnema, Chuck Domitrovich, Dana Cassara, Juan Reyes and Virginia Causey. Photography by Doug Yaple.

Spirit

2023

Brooch. Polymer clay micromosaic by Cynthia Toops, silver work by Nancy Bonnema, plywood elements by Dan Adams. Hand fabricated.

3" h x 2 1/2" w x 1/8" d

$1,800.

Spirit was created to honor our gardening friends. They spend weekends, day in, day out, tending to their plots, watering, weeding, pruning, planting flowers, seeds and (hopefully) picking fruits, vegetables and sharing the harvest.

Hero

2023

Pendant.  Polymer clay micromosaic by Cynthia Toops, Sterling silver work by Chuck Domitrovich, Wood Cross and sterling silver tree by Dan Adams.

4" h x 2 3/8" w x 1/4" d

$2,580.

When I got the bezel from Chuck Domitrovich, I immediately thought of a hero or guardian figure of the woods. The obvious decision was the woodland firefighter. Firefighter stations sport different badges - all Maltese crosses but with different emblems in the center. I chose woodland firefighting tools: spade and axe.

The orange represents fire and the grey is for smoke. We used purple heartwood for the Maltese cross to symbolize heroism.

Luna 

2023

Pendant. Polymer clay micromosaics by Cynthia Toops, Carved maple and Sterling silver and brass work by Dan Adams. 

2 3/8" h x 2 3/4" w x 1/4" d

$1,570.

Dan carved the wood - a partial face and created the silver & brass bezel. My micromosaic of the other half of the face was inspired by Dan's wood carving & finishing, and the wood carvings of the indigenous peoples of the northwest.

Split Personality

2023

Pendant. Polymer clay micromosaics by Cynthia Toops, Wood carving and sterling silver metal work by Dan Adams.

1 3/4" h x 1 1/8" w x 5/8" d

$1,280.

In this piece, we started with a wood face that Dan carved. I had him cut it into two halves so I could use it on both sides, creating two different faces with a wood element in each.

Hart|Heart

2023

Brooch/pendant. Polymer clay micromosaic by Cynthia Toops, sterling silver metal work by Dana Cassara, Carved maple by Dan Adams. 

3" h x 1 1/2" w x 1/8" d

$1,220.

It was not obvious when I received the pendant/brooch from Dana Cassara how we could incorporate the wood into the small space. The decision to create a wooden "heart' transformed the elk into a hart (a mature male red deer).

Trees

2023

Double sided necklace. Polymer clay micromosaics by Cynthia Toops, Sterling silver metalwork and most wood elements by Dan Adams, glass beads, paper, amber.

20" l x 1/2" d. The largest bead is 1 1/2" w and the smallest bead is 3/4" w.

$15,140.

Trees is the first piece we worked on. Each beads is associated with a particular tree. On one side is either a slice of wood or a product made rom the tree. On the reverse side is an animal that nests or feeds (bark, berries, fruit, leaves) on the tree. It was a fun project, but required a lot of research. We found ourselves asking questions like:

A. What tree did this wood come from?

B. What animals are associated with the tree or its environs?

C. what products are made from the tree?

Key shown next page.

Shelter

2023

Pendant. Polymer clay micromosaic by Cynthia Toops, sterling silver metalwork by Juan Reyes, and wood by Dan Adams.

4 5/8" h x 2 3/8" w x 1/4" d

$1,914.

When I received the tree-shaped bezel from Juan Reyes, I was stumped (pun intended). I did not want to ask Dan to make wood for the tree trunk. The solution was using wood for the branches instead.

The Gathering

2023

Pendant. Polymer clay micromosaic by Cynthia Toops, Sterling silver and brass metalwork and carved maple by Dan Adams.

2 1/2" h x 2 1/4" w x 1/4" d

$1,670.

For The Gathering, Dan carved the wood and did the metalwork first and  I made the mosaic in response to his "bird". I imagined a gathering of elders from different species, discussing and working together to solve problems in the community.

Pileated Woodpecker

2023

Pendant.  Polymer clay micromosaic by Cynthia Toops, sterling silver metalwork by Dana Cassara, Olive wood by Dan Adams.

 2 3/4" h x 3/4"  w x 1/8" d

$1,000.

I wanted to do a Pileated Woodpecker after watching a PBS documentary of woodpeckers. This bezel by Dana Cassara was the perfect shape for it. I love the wood texture on the back of the pendant.

Dogwood

2023

Pendant. Polymer clay micromosaic by Cynthia Toops. Sterling silver metalwork and sapphires by Virginia Causey, Cut and carved olive wood by Dan Adams.

3 3/4" h x 1 3/8" w x 1/8" d

$2,034.

The dogwood flower and leaves created by Virginia Causey inspired me to read about the tree. I chose the house finch because i loved how its soft pink coloring goes with the red berries that it feeds on.

Furrball

2023

Brooch. Polymer clay micromosaics by Cynthia Toops. Sterling silver metalwork by Juan Reyes.

1 5/8" h x 2" w x 1/8" d

$760.

I imagined finding a bunny instead of a squash in the vegetable garden. The rabbit is pretending to be innocent.

ADDITIONAL WORKS

M Necklace

2018

Two-Sided Necklace. Polymer clay mosaic inlay by Cynthia Toops, sterling silver, Flame worked glass beads by Dan Adams. 23.5” l x 1.25” w.

$3,800.

This necklace is made up of beads, each representing things that begin with the letter "M" such as: marble, Murano glass, micro mosaic, masks, maize, monkey, magic, millefiori, metal, mermaid, mango wood, monopoly, mahjong, maximal/minimal, monarch, moth, moccasins, mules, maze, mokume gane, magic.

Mosaic Bracelet

2022

Cuff bangle. Polymer clay mosaic inlay by Cynthia Toops, sterling silver cuff by Chuck Domitrovich

1.75" w, Inner dimensions: 2.75" x 2.25"

$5,800.

Bouquet
2022
Brooch/Pendant. Polymer clay micromosaic inlay, hand-fabricated sterling silver metalwork by Nancy Bonnema.
4.25" x 2.25" x 1/8" d
$2,100.

Honey Bee
2022
Brooch/Pendant. Polymer clay mosaic inlay, hand-fabricated sterling silver metalwork by Nancy Bonnema.
4.5" long x 2" w x 1/8" d
$2,500.

Sampler Necklace

2020

Polymer clay, polymer clay micro mosaics by Cynthia Toops, sterling silver, and blown glass beads by Dan Adams

36” Long

$3,500.

Sampler Necklace, 2020 is part of a series of sampler necklaces, one of which is part of the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

The Bookkeeper

2023

Reversible pendant. Polymer clay micro mosaic inlay and bounds books by Cynthia Toops,  silver metalwork by Nancy Bonnema. Free standing on feet. Head rotates. Pendant: 3.5" h x 1.5" w (closed) / 3" w (open doors) x 1/2" d.

$5,800.

The Bookkeeper

Side A: Athena, Olympian goddess of wisdom and knowledge. Her symbol is the Owl.

Side B: Seshat, Egyptian goddess of writing and libraries, the keeper of books. Often featured wearing a headband with a star, notched palm leaf, leopard skin, tablet, and stylus. She is the consort of Thoth.

On the outer doors there are book shelves and on the horizontal shelving, the words of Rabbi Akiba Ben Joseph, “The paper burns but the words fly free.”

Inside the pendant there are book, scrolls, and a faux book with pendant.

Top Left: A set of 5 blank books

Top Right: “Notes” - description of “The Bookkeeper” piece including all of the above.

Middle Left: “X” - scroll with titles and authors of banned books.

Middle Right: Blank, multi-signature book

Lower Left: 2 books

(a) Book of quotes about reading or books

(b) Book of things that endanger books (i.e. fire, water, insects…)

Lower Right: Faux book “doors” open to reveal a tiny owl pendant

Mood Ring

2019

Ring. Polymer clay micromosaic by Cynthia Toops. Sterling silver bezel by Chuck Domitrovich.

Size 8

$1,800.

Flower Child

2021

Brooch/Pendant. Polymer clay Micromosaic by Cynthia Toops. Sterling silver metal work by Nancy Bonnema.

2.8" × 2.3"× .25"

$2,650.

Evening Walk

2021

Brooch/pedant. Polymer clay Micromosaic by Cynthia Toops. Sterling silver metal work by Nancy Bonnema.

2.25" × 2"× .25"

$2,200.

Moss Necklace

Polymer clay Micromosaic beaded necklace.

Approximately 18" long

$1660.

Mesmerized

2018

Brooch. Polymer clay micromosaic brooch. Sterling silver bezel.

Approximately 2.5" x 1.5"

$2,380.

Sketch Necklace

Polymer clay carved beads, mosaic inlay, mokume gane, glass beads by Dan Adams, sterling silver bezels and clasps.

Length: 23” L. Largest bead: 1” diameter

$3,200.

Hanging Out
2022
Scratchboard Drawing. 
4.5" x 4.5", 8" x 8" with mat
$500.

Flower Power
2021
Scratchboard drawing.
3.5" x 3.5", 8 x 10 with mat.
$450.

For any inquiries or to make a purchase,

please email mobiliagallery@gmail.com,

or call 617.429.5600 and a member of team

Mobilia will happily assist you.

Copyright and Design Mobilia Gallery, 2023

All works copyright Cynthia Toops and Dan Adams, 2023.

No reproduction without permission.