Jewelry designer Sue Shefts Traub, of Johns Creek, who has been a bead connoisseur since her days in the schoolyard, will show off her eye-catching pieces at this year’s Arts on the Creek.

Traub has been designing and creating for about 30 years, starting in her teen years. But the artist’s passion for jewelry began much earlier.

“I’d always collected beads. As a kid, my friends and I would trade them the way kids trade Pokemon cards today,” she said.

The native New Yorker, who often returns home to find materials for her designs, creates detailed jewelry using eclectic beads and vintage Swarovski crystals.

“I buy what I like, knowing I’ll eventually use it,” she said. “Sometimes I’ll have a piece for 15 years before I find the perfect place to use it.”

Traub comes from an artistic background. Her father and uncles owned a business creating carved glass works of art and installing them in well-known places, such as the L.A. Convention Center, Tavern on the Green and the Waldorf Astoria.

Staying true to the family craft, the Johns Creek mom also incorporates glass into many of her pieces.

“I try to create pieces that work well for everyday or when you’re dressing up. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion to wear a piece of art,” she said. “It’s nice to have something unique and special that you know you won’t see someone else wearing. And I try to make it affordable.”

Traub’s pieces can be purchased from The Red Hound, 10955 Jones Bridge Road in Alpharetta and Gifted!, 944 Canton St. in Roswell. Her designs are also for sale on her website, www.sueshefts.com.

Traub will be selling her pieces at the fifth annual Arts on the Creek art festival, returning to Perimeter Church on Labor Day weekend.

The artist has participated in the festival in previous years and said she enjoys the interactive environment.

“It’s really fun because you get to see all the other artists and we get to talk to the people buying our pieces,” she said. “It’s so nice to have an event like this right in our own backyard. It reminds people that you don’t have to go downtown or out of town — there are working artists right here in Johns Creek.”

Alongside Traub will be artists who create sculptures, photographs, paintings and pieces in a wide range of other artistic mediums.

The event, presented by the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce, the city of Johns Creek, the Johns Creek Arts Center and Fifth Third Bank, will also include live entertainment, vendors and children’s activities.

On Sept. 2 the Juried Fine Art Show will be hosted by the Johns Creek Arts Center from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road, Suite 700, Johns Creek.

The arts festival will be hosted Sept. 3 and 4 on the grounds of Perimeter Church at the corner of Highway 141 and Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. Plenty of parking will be available.