Fire Divas Part III: Return to the Fire

I have more Fire Divas for you this weekend! The lovely lampwork ladies all love to play with fire--with awesome results! Remember, you can find out all about the Fire Divas on our blog!






Susan Sheehan: SusanSheehan
Frosted Lilacs

Susan has been lampworking for many years, ever since it convinced her to leave her photography behind.













Nicole Valentine-Rimmer: NValentineStudio
Barn Swallow

Nicole has been lampworking since 2003, and has been published in numerous publications.













Patty Lakinsmith: PattyLakinsmith
Humu Focal

Patty has been melting glass since 2002 and has developed a recognizable organic style.













D. Lynne Bowland: islandgirl
Searching for the Perfect Autumn

Lynne worked as a fiber artist for many years before becoming a glass artist in the late 1980s. She owns a seasonal gallery in New Brunswick, Canada.
















Karen Klomparens: giapet
Turtle Bead Pair

Karen is addicted to melting glass, and holds it as one of her life's passions.

Featured Artist: Erin of ErinNicole Jewelry

One area I have always wanted to explore is fused glass. I love how one-of-a-kind pendants and jewelry can be created by layering & melting glass. This week's featured artist, Erin of ErinNicole Jewelry, has beautiful fused pieces that show how amazing fused glass can be. Not only is she a talented artist, she has also taught a number of jewelry design classes, all before graduating college!


What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
I think that "buying handmade" is all about supporting those that take the time to produce quality items themselves, as opposed to the mass-produced (and, often, poor quality) products that the market is becoming more and more saturated with. Buying handmade also means expressing your individuality and cultivating your own style. After all, no two completely handmade items are exactly alike, just as no two people as exactly alike.

How long have you been active in your craft?
I have been creating metal-worked jewelry for about 5 years. I learned how to incorporate glass techniques into my jewelry almost 4 years ago. It's amazing how the two complement each other!


What inspires your work?
Creating things has always been a passion of mine, even before I started making jewelry. I am definitely inspired by modern art. I love clean lines and vibrant colors. I also love taking ancient techniques, and bringing them into the modern era. My buyers are always surprised to hear when the ultra-modern piece they've selected was created with centuries-old methods. Of course, I also thoroughly enjoy playing with the newest techniques. In this way, technology serves as another major inspiration for me. I think that a lot of buyers aren't aware of the "science" of jewelry-making; countless innovations and chemical processes come into play, all serving as tools that can be used in a variety of ways. Coefficients of expansion, devitrification, melting points, annealing temperatures--there are so many things for every glass and metal jewelry artist to consider.

Where do you sell your creations?
I sell my jewelry in a variety of places. Currently, I am participating in the Colorado Farm & Art Market in Colorado Springs. This is taking place every Wednesday through October from 3-7pm at America the Beautiful Park. I have also just opened up a new online store at http://ErinNicole.artfire.com .


Have you earned any special accolades in your field?
As far as accolades go, I have won some prizes in local competitions, and would like to apply for more prestigious awards as time goes on. Right now, I have just recently graduated college and am still getting my ducks in a row!

Red Hot Fire Divas Part II!

This is the second installment of my feature of the Fire Divas, a group that has come together through their love of lampworking! If you don't want to wait for *me* to present all of the Fire Divas, you can check out our blog and find links to our various online shops & personal blogs!







Holly Dare Hughes: HollysFollyGlass
Waterworks
Holly started out in television production and worked on The Carol Duvall Show, which is where her fascination with glass began.















Jessica Veda Jones: VedasBeads
Chunky Black Crystal Set
Jessica has been lampworking for several years, and just recently left her "day job" to pursue her passion full time.









Janel Dudley: Janeldudleybeads
Lampwork Frog Focal
Janel first started making lampwork beads in 1997, and has been going strong ever since!
















Jamie Rose: GlasstasticTreasures
The Mummy Returns
Jamie has been creating her whimsical beads for over 3 years.
















Melissa Villadiego: VillaDesigns
Gerbera Pendant
Melissa has been lampworking for over 5 years and has been published in numerous craft publications.

Meet the Red Hot Fire Divas

Welcome of my first installment of "Meet the Fire Divas." The Fire Divas are a group of lampwork artists who have come together to support, promote and inspire one another. We "met" on a forum for lampwork artists, and the rest is history! When you buy from a Fire Diva, you can be assured that you are buying from an actual artist, not some re-seller trying to pawn off factory-made lampwork as artisan-made!

This week I am showing off the work of five of our Divas: Cindy Haberman, Melissa Vess, Lara Lutrick, Lea Avroch, & Angela Kane. Next to each picture you will find the Divas name, their Etsy user name, the name of the bead pictured, and a short bio!

You can also find links to all of the Divas by visiting our blog.






Cindy Haberman: Cindylynne Glass
Lampwork Glass "Balloonimal"
Cindy started out trying glass fusing but quickly found her passion in lampworking. That was three years ago, though she has loved glass since childhood.












Melissa Vess; Melissabeads
Ice Blue Silver Nuggets
Melissa has been working with hot glass for over 4 years, and has a degree from the Art Institute of Colorado.











Lara Lutrick: Lutrick
Rainbow Bicone
Lara has been making jewelry & lampwork beads for over 10 years in her Seattle studio.
















Lea Avroch: LAJewlery Designs
Purple Majesty
Lea has been making lampwork beads for several years. Her work has been published in several magazines, including Bead & Button & Belle Armoire













Angela Kane: Blue Lagoon Beads
Inside the Raindrop
Angela has been making lampwork beads for a number of years in both soft and borosilicate glass.

Who Says Lampwork Beads Aren't Art?

I am sure many of you creative types have a favorite artist in your field whose work you covet and wish for one-tenth of their talent! In lampwork, many artists (myself included) create beads with the common purpose of being used in jewelry. Lydia Muell, of Ashton Jewels takes her lampwork beads to a whole different level, creating miniature pieces of art at her torch.

I have been a fan of Lydia's work for a long time, and have enjoyed watching her style develop. She has created some of the most distinctive beads I have seen since I began lampworking 5 years ago. Her current floral beads are truly breathtaking and unlike any other artist's.


Not only is Lydia an artist with glass, her jewelry, which incorporates her stunning beads, is equally amazing. Could imagine how good you would feel walking into the room, wearing one of her pieces?

If you are not already a fan of lampwork beads, Lydia's will definitely win you over. She is a trendsetter in the field, and one of my favorite glass artists of all time. Visit Ashton Jewels whenever you want to devour some gorgeous eye candy, and maybe treat yourself to true wearable art!

D-I-V-O-R-C-E Beads!

I'm not really one for broadcasting my private life on my blog, but I figured this one time wouldn't hurt. I wanted to brag about the first new lampwork beads I have made since my soon-to-be-ex decided that our marriage wasn't worth working on. Obviously it was a big blow, and I didn't even want to touch my torch for a good month or so...then came having to pack and move all of my glass and studio set-up. Then, unpacking all of my glass and studio set-up! LOL

But then, the urge started to come back to be creative. I truly believe it was my spirit's first declaration that it is starting to heal. Somewhat ironically, one of the first beads I made was supposed to be a tab focal, but it forced itself to take on a heart shape. It's a little wonky and off-centered; a perfect reflection of my own little ticker (at least this heart didn't break!)


I will hopefully be able to actually list some beads for sale over the next couple of days. But I think I will hold on to my wonky heart for a while before sending it to a new home! ;-)

And the Winner is....

After dealing with my internet being down last night, I am back and ready to announce the winner and answers of the Lampwork Treasure Hunt!

The winner is: Susan Wells of swellsthings.etsy.com ! Susan wins a pair of my handmade lampwork earrings!

Were you wondering what the answers were to the treasure hunt? They are revealed below, with a photo and link to the Etsy listing!

Treasure #1
1) Stephen King wrote about a dark one.
2) Only mail deer have these (use the singular!)
3) Free term: lampwork

Tower of Strength by juliechristie


















Treasure #2
1) If you have too much of something, you are up to your...
2) These are meant to decorate your ears
3) Free term: divas

Eyeball Earrings by JanelDudleyBeads














Treasure #3
1) A type of dark chocolate cake
2) A muffin's sweeter cousin
3) Free term: divas

Chocolate Devil's Food Cupcake by HollysFollyGlass





















Treasure #4
1) These are a girl's best friend
2) This can be cloudy, sunny or dark
3) Free term: divas

Diamonds in the Sky by Glass Addictions


















Treasure #5
1) Adjective for someone who loves their country
2) Jewelry that hangs from a necklace
3) Free term: divas

Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue by LAJewelryDesigns




















Treasure #6
1) He brings happiness on his wings
2) She opened a box of trouble
3) Free term: divas

Bluebird of Happiness by islandgirl




















Treasure #7
1) Man's best friend
2) Beware the curse of the monkey's...
3) Free term: divas

Zoe's Friends Paw Print Focal by infernoglassbeads




















Thanks again to everyone who played with us! :)

Etsy Yart Sale!!

Etsy is having an "unofficial" Yart Sale, June 10-14. I will be participating, with 20% off all items in my Etsy shop. Please check out my shop for details.

The Yart Sale is an "Art Yard Sale" that was first pulled together by an Etsy Street Team, the Etsy Supply Street Team. Now is a great time to take advantage of these specials on all sorts of handmade goods. Simply search "Yart" on Etsy and you should come up with all sorts of items on sale!

Do You Love Lampwork Jewelry? Please Vote!

One of my fellow lampwork artists has put together a contest for lampwork jewelry. This week's entries are all bracelets, and boy are they beautiful! Laurie did this to help show the world how beautiful jewelry made with lampwork beads can be. If you love lampwork, you will want to visit just to see all the eye candy.

My entry is Tiger, Tiger! I would love it if you would vote for me! I am entry 2-2 on this page. You can vote once per page, and there are three pages of entries. Please check it out!

Featured Artist: Studio Marcy

Today's featured artist is a lampwork bead artist sure to bring a smile to your face. Marcy Lamberson of Studio Marcy creates whimsical and fun lampwork beads and sculptures.

Marcy's background, in her own words:
My happy and somewhat quirky lampwork glass beads are designed to make the viewer grin. They are a reflection of who I am. Besides being a full time beadmaker living in Atlanta, GA, I also teach this art form both as private lessons and in groups around the country. I contribute beads to the HOPE Bracelet Project and Beads of Courage, which are two non-profits supported by glass artists. Other important facts are that I can write with both hands at the same time in opposite directions, able flip my tongue over 180 degrees, and still working on learning how to hula hoop.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?
Buying handmade is having a chance to purchase an item that was made with someone's hands and heart. I know from my personal experience, when I make something, my customers have bought a small piece of who I am as a person.

How long have you been active in your craft? What inspires your work?
Although I have created artistic items all my life, I have been making whimsical lampwork glass beads for about eight years now.

Inspiration comes from everywhere. As funny as it may sound, one of the ways I look at life is through beads. I see someone's dog, who I unconsciously reconstruct into a cute bead, or a pattern on a fabric or it can even be a phrase in a story that spurs my imagination. Inspiration can come from 3-D, 2-D or even daydreaming.

Where do you sell your creations?
I primarily sell my glass beads through my etsy shop, http://www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com. It is an easy way to find my most current offerings and contact me. Often people will email me through my StudioMarcy@gmail.com to request custom bead orders- like pet or people characterization focal beads, or beads representing items that have special meaning to them.

I also have a fun daily creativity, inspiration and lampwork glass blog: http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com

Are there any special accolades you have earned in your field?
Well yes, some wonderful things have occurred in my field.

This July, I am very happy to have been chosen to teach a sculptural beadmaking class for the International Society of Glass Beadmakers' International conference- The Gathering.

Last year I demonstrated and presented a program on my current work for the International Society of Glass Beadmakers.

My work has been exhibited in many locations including the following:
The Heinz Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
The American Association of Woodworkers Museum (a collaboration piece)
The Ohio Glass Museum
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

Fabulous Finds: Lampwork Jewelry

I was spending some time wishing I had a million dollars :) If I did, I would splurge on some of these incredible lampwork jewels. These are not for the faint of heart, or the penny-pincher! These are all truly pieces of wearable art.







Colorful Cala Lillies by artjewelryonline












Surprise Bird Box by Birdland Creations














Lovely Dancing Bloom Earrings by risabeads



















Sea Grass by Skychica













Dangerous Liaisons by redhotsal

Featured Artist: Niven Glass Originals

There are always a few artists whose pieces regularly draw your attention. Florence, of Niven Glass Originals makes some of the most innovative fused glass pieces I have come across to date. She brings a strong sense of design to her fused pieces, making them stand out from most other fused glass. Her "Divas" are my personal favorite, and show such personality, it is hard to believe they were created in a kiln!

I am so happy that I get to present to you, Niven Glass Originals, and I am sure you will become a fan of Florence's work, too!



What does it mean to you to "buy handmade".
Handmade to me, means just that - from the hands of an artisan or crafter. I'd like to think that someone has developed an idea from sketch to finished product.

How long have you been active in your craft?
I have been a graphic designer and illustrator since 1983. Nine years ago, I took a stained glass course that completely changed the focus of my work. Since then I've slowly replaced my paint brush with a glass cutter, and now work full time as a glass artist. Over the past four years I have eased out of stained glass and now work exclusively with fused glass - glass that I cut, layer and fuse together in a high temperature kiln.

What inspires your work?
I am seldom without a sketch book, or at least a scrap of paper. I've been doing this long enough to know that inspiration comes from all over - a passage from a book, a walk in the park, design magazines, fashion, movies. My background as a graphic designer informs how I see things; my designs tend to be clean and precise - less is definitely more. But I also like to keep a sense of humor in my work - I don't take myself too seriously.

Where do you sell your creations?
I sell my glass at several retailers here in Canada and also online through my Etsy shop - Niven Glass Originals.

What is the Cost of Your Art?

Discussion on pricing art abound all over the Internet. But what about the actual costs incurred by your art of choice? In this day when we are used to seeing some many cheap imports available, people have no true idea of what it really costs an independent artisan to create their goods.

Since I love to do lampwork, and have to deal with people who are used to buying cheap imports at Wal-Mart on a regular basis, I will use that as an example. I will only mention the tools and supplies you absolutely *must* have in order to create a quality lampwork bead (notice that you can't really put a cost on practice and expertise here!).

There is a beginner torch out there called a Hot Head. This torch runs on a single fuel, and is made to run on the small canisters of MAPP gas or propane you can find at hardware stores. You of course need glass rods, and stainless steel mandrels with bead release to form the bead around. And no matter what people might want you to believe, you need a kiln to anneal your beads (fiber blankets and vermiculite do *not* do the job).

So before you have even lit the torch and made a bead, you will have to spend:

1. Hot Head Torch: $40.00
2. Mandrels (12): $6.00
3. Bead Release: $10.00
4. Glass Rod Asst: $20.00
5. Kiln: $550.00
6. Can of Fuel: $3.00

If you chose to upgrade your torch to one that burns hotter, you will need to buy a dual fuel torch, the least expensive of which runs about $225.00. Plus, when you do this, you need to add in either bottled oxygen on a regular basis, or an oxygen concentrator which starts at $550.00 for a refurbished one.

Of the above supplies, the bead release, rods and fuel are consumed by the craft and need to be replenished regularly. Even if you decide to try to catch anneal your beads in someone else's kiln, you still need to spend nearly $80.00 before you make a bead. Now it makes a little more sense as to why those little glass treasures cost a bit more, doesn't it?

I would love to hear from artists in other fields as to what the costs associated with their area end up being. Please email me at handmadechicblog@gmail.com if you would be willing to write up a short entry outlining the costs you face, so we can continue to educate our customers.

Featured Artist: Marilyn Peraza

This week's featured artist is Marilyn Peraza, the woman behind Peraza Beads & Jewelry. Marilyn personifies what Handmade Chic seeks in a featured artist; someone who not only makes handmade goods, but who seeks to help others in their own quest for making handmade a focus, whether artist or customer!

Marilyn is a lampwork bead artist, who is very well known for her sculptural rose beads and her newest rose interpretation, the rose murrini. She has published tutorials for both, showing a willingness to help other artists learn and grow. Her jewelry is absolutely exquisite, showing a talent for design.

What does it mean to you to "buy handmade"?

Buying handmade is very special to me. It means that not only is there the material components of the handmade item, which are visible to the naked eye, but the heart and soul, love and passion of the artist who created it.

How long have you been active in your craft? I have been making jewelry since a very young girl. I started making my own glass beads about 10 years ago. In 2006 I released the first issue of The Annealer Magazine, a magazine dedicated to lampwork artists and lampwork jewelry designers, and its companion website at http://www.theannealermagazine.com/.

What inspires your work?

Oh my goodness, what doesn't inspire me should be the question. I can see something inspiring in just about everything I look at.

Where do you sell your creations?

My website is: http://www.perazabeads.com/, where you can purchase items directly from me by viewing the online catalog, or, you can visit my public shops on Etsy, 1000 Markets, Artfire, and even on GlassBeads.org. You can find links to all of these shops, on my main website, under "current auctions."

Have you earned any special accolades in your field you are exceptionally proud of?

I have had some recognition by winning various contests, features, etc., but I'll tell you what means more to me than anything is when a customer contacts me (by email, phone, or simply in the feedback portion of the sites I sell on) to tell me how much they love the bead or piece of jewelry they purchased. To me, the appreciation of my art and/or jewelry designs, from the person on the receiving end of my finished work is most special.

Featured Artists: Fire Divas

This week's featured "artist" is actually a collection of lampwork artists who have come together with a common purpose: to advance their love of handmade glass beads.

Originally formed as a street team on etsy, the members had known each other through the popular lampwork forum, lampworketc.com. As time passed, the core group of members wanted to remain connected yet move beyond just one venue. The name of the group was changed, members re-committed to the group's goals, and Fire Divas was born.

Every member of Fire Divas is committed to offering only the best handmade lampwork beads and sculpture, while supporting each other's artistic endeavors. The group may boast some well-known lampworkers, but no one person is valued above any other. Each and every artist contributes to the success of Fire Divas as a whole.

Fans of handmade lampwork beads should know that members of Fire Divas have shops on both etsy and ArtFire; search "Fire Divas" on these sites to find the beatiful offerings the Divas have for you!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade firedivas.etsy.com