"Santa Fe" - a signature bead set
I've been making lampwork beads in my Ann Arbor studio since I got my first torch for Christmas 2000. My passion is making fun, affordable beads for other jewelry designers. A set of my beads was used in BeadWork Magazine's Challenge feature in the Feb/March 2010 issue. My beads are always available at Stony Creek Bead in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Twice a year (March & October) I participate in the Bead Bonanza sponsored by the Great Lakes Bead Workers Guild. I'm treasurer of Northern Lights, a group of lamp work artists. We've had a booth at the Bonanza since March 2003.

A Bit About Lampworking

I use glass known as soft glass (or soda lime) from Italy, the United States, and China.

The glass is melted in the torch until it reaches approximately 1400 Deg. F. then melted around a mandrel to form the base bead. Shaping is done with a combination of heat, gravity, and tools. Decoration is achieved by adding more glass, glass frits and powders, or even thin metal foils. The possibilities are endless.

All of my finished beads are annealed and cooled at a controlled rate in my kiln, which removes internal stresses and enhances durability. Beads that haven't been annealed are prone to cracking, and even shattering, and should be avoided.

Below, in my postings, are photos and prices of bead sets for sale. I'm happy to recreate most any set you see on my blog, with more or less main beads or spacers. Just ask!

Monday, March 22, 2010

My 15 Minutes of Fame

My bead set and some matching seed beads and fire-polished rounds were featured in "the Challenge" article of the February/March 2010 issue of Beadwork magazine.  It was so exciting to see my beads pictured in an international magazine and to read the comments of the jewelry designers who used my beads to create their pieces.  Thanks to Stony Creek Bead who helped me put the kit together that I submitted to the magazine.

The lampwork bead set as shown is available for $32.  The accessory beads are available from Stony Creek Bead.
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1 comment:

  1. Andrew ThorntonMarch 23, 2010 at 8:14 PM

    Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and for your lovely comments. It was a pleasure and a delight being next to you at the show. I'm happy that we were neighbors. I hope that the show went well for you. I had every intention of swinging by and taking a look at your beads, but I was in a bit of a daze dealing with all the customers and then thinking about the long drive home. Next time. Or... maybe I'll see something on your blog. Thank you for sharing all of your beautiful wares and for adding to the beauty and craftsmanship of the beading world!

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