Artist Statement

My work is comprised of lampworked glass beads, and jewelry that incorporates the beads I make. I begin with glass rods which I heat in a single flame (the lamp). My lamp is a propane/oxygen surface mix torch. The melted rods are wound around a steel mandrel to form the hole. The surface of each bead is manipulated while hot, to produce an endless variety of effects. Most of my beads are highly sculptural, but some have colors and textures as their design focus. Metal foils, powders,enamels,salts and minerals are used to vary the surface of my beads. All colorations are added to the beads while in the flame- they are not painted or dyed. After a bead is finished it goes directly into a kiln to be annealed at 960 degrees. This gives the finished bead greater strength.

Using my handmade beads as a focus, I fabricate my jewelry designs from sterling silver wire, precious metal clays, and gold vermeil components. All jewelry designs are dictated by the handmade beads they contain.