As you probably know, I’ve been trying my hand at lampwork this year, making my own little glass beads and trying to learn how not to burn myself. No, seriously, the not burning myself is a big part of it. So far I’ve remembered not to touch hot glass, but have managed to touch a hot mandrel (not good), try to adjust the mandrel rest in the kiln (also not good), and forgotten all the warnings about not trying out opalino rods until I’m REALLY ready (shocky shocky shocky). I have a few interesting burn marks now, but I can at least say I’m no longer QUITE as afraid of the propane tank. And that is a Very Good Thing.
So far, I haven’t had a lot of time to devote to making beads — an hour here and there — so the only thing I can do with any proficiency is make a spacer bead. But they’re pretty good spacer beads, if I do say so myself, with no sharp ends at all and a fairly consistent evenness. I’ve found a peace making these simple beads, and being a very high-strung Type A person, zen-ing out is also a Very Good Thing.
I’ve also discovered that making simple jewelry with my own simple beads brings a silly grin to my face. These little bracelets aren’t ornate, nor are they my usual style, but they’re made with MY beads, and someone out there will love them. I’ve made a few, all with varying shades of color, all from my experiments with the tons of sample packs of glass I’ve bought over the past months. And sample packs are Very Good Things.
When I was first setting up my studio, I treated myself to a lot of frit samplers — lots and lots. I’m still trying to figure out what goes with what and how to make this react and that behave, but on occasion, I hit it just right. I was ultra-pleased to actually get an entire set of frit beads to come out in the same shade, the same size, and in just the right amount to make a bracelet. And you guessed it. It was a Very Good Thing.
All of this may seem like no big deal, but to me, it’s an enormously good feeling to get this far. It’s not very far at all in the grand scheme of things, of course, but considering some of the hurdles I’ve had to jump and the limited amount of torch time I get (really, rarely more than a few hours a week) — I’m happy with my progress. I have so much, so MUCH, to learn, but I’m getting there, and THAT is a Very Good Thing.
Lori Anderson designs jewelry full time in her studio in Easton, MD. She blogs at Pretty Things and An Artist’s Year Off.
Carol Tannahill says:
Beautiful work, Lori! The pink bracelet is especially gorgeous. Keep it up and keep posting your work!
June 16th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Jenn says:
Lori – your bracelets are gorgeous. And I get the same silly grin on my face by making jewelry with MY own beads. Made with fire. Hot fire. 2,000 hot fire. It’s SOOOO cool….er, hot!
June 16th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Boot~C says:
these beads are beautiful,the colour is so saturated. You have nothing to be ashamed of in these!They look good made up into bracelets, the pink is very pretty.
June 17th, 2010 at 6:00 am
daniel says:
each and every pic looks perfect. i think the pink bracelet is really quite beautiful
June 17th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Julie Nordine - Credit River Art Glass says:
You’re doing great, Lori! Nothing more satisfying than making & using your own beads! & welcome to the “Fingerprints are Overrated Club”.
) I am the queen of burning myself. LOL.
July 7th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Norma says:
your beads are beautiful Lori! I am so jealous……I want to learn lamp working so, maybe some day just not not…..I love the pink bracelet, but all of the beads are lovely!
July 7th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
mallory says:
Wow, Lori, your spacers are EXCELLENT! I love the jewelry you’ve made with them, too! Good luck!
July 7th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Ann says:
It’s beautiful. You’re doing a fantastic job. I love pink:)
July 7th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Lyn Foley says:
I’ve said it before, and here it is again: You are a natural lampworker. To be so good, so quickly, with so little time to devote to learning – WOW!
Keep it up – it is a Very Good Thing indeed.
July 12th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Ema Kilroy says:
Beautiful work! You are a natural. It is so inspiring to learn something new…keep it up.
July 16th, 2010 at 9:02 am