Meet The Maker
How long have you been a flameworker?
I took a beginner lampwork (flamework) class in 2006 and
never looked back. I was SO in love with the whole process,
first wonky beads & all. There were no local glass studios, and still aren’t, so I went and
looked into what was required to set up my own home studio. I ordered a torch, kiln,
oxygen concentrator, basic tools and a sampler of glass rods, all at a steep price for
something that I wasn’t sure I could make a go of. In the beginning, I melted glass in
the backyard since I had no ventilation, but even the slightest breeze would affect the
flame. Made me CRAZY!! Needless to say, I wasted no time getting my ventilation hooke
What attracted you to the medium and do you work with any other mediums at all?
I started out making jewelry about 20 years ago and would invariably find myself in nee
the look. Now when I need that special bead, I just go and make it. While I still make jew
seat for me. I also love working with teeny tiny seed beads. It’s a very painstaking proces
Could you briefly explain the process behind lampwork beads and the amount of work t
The process is a very fluid one once the
that happens there’s a lot of prep work
are steel rods that the glass is wound o
must be coated in bead release to keep
ies, frit, murrini and anything else that
pared because once the torch is lit and
no time for much else.
With all the prep work ready, next step
That’s when the fun and magic begins.
glass rod of your choice in the other, yo
heat the mandrel. Begin winding on th
Once you have the shape you like, you
When you’re happy with the design, po
down slowly for several hours. This is th
for strength and durability. You don’t w
making a bead that may crack in time.
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