About

Mary Kenesson creates jewelry and wearable fiber arts with an Asian flair in the rural colonial village of Waterford, Virginia. Her work, known by her “ma su ke” label with a dragonfly logo, often combines beads and fibers as well as vintage buttons from her huge collection. 

Mary was one of the founding members of the gallery.

Personal Statement

Asian art, textile patterns and paper prints often inspire my beadwork and fiber arts, whether I am making jewelry, purses, or clothing. My artisan name, “ma su ke” sounds Asian though it is simply the first syllables of my names, and I chose a dragonfly as my logo. 

While traveling in Europe, Asia and throughout the U.S., the souvenirs I bring home are always beautiful fabrics, yarn, fibers and vintage buttons that later come together in my studio as unique jewelry and wearable clothing and accessories. 

The finished products represent “finds” from different countries and cultures, and each has a history of its own and a memory of mine.