Artist Information
Meredith HartsfieldGlass Artist- Bead maker
Jewelry Designer- Instructor
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.
Meredith Hartsfield is a glass artist who specializes in lampworked beads and vessels. She designs custom jewelry to showcase her handmade lampwork beads.
A native of Colorado, Meredith currently resides on the Florida gulf coast, in Gulf Breeze. She exhibits her work at fine arts shows throughout the region. Meredith has an educational and professional background in graphic design, commercial art, photography and illustration. She has been working as a glass artist since she made her first glass bead in 1995. She has experience in silver smithing and fine jewelry making and design. Professional pursuits and credits include:
Exhibit and sales:
Great Gulfcoast Arts Festivals, Pensacola FL, 2002-2009 Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival, Fairhope AL, 2005-2008 Gulfshores Shrimp Festival Fine Arts Show, 2006- 2009 Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts, 2001- 2010 Emerald Coast Bead Society shows, 2001-2010 Juried Fine Arts Festivals throughout Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia, 2001-2010
Instruction and Outreach:
Artist in residence, glass beadmaking instructor, The Belmont Arts and Cultural Center Pensacola FL, 2003-present Emerald Coast Bead Society, President, 2006-2007 Board member 2001-present Visual Arts Association, Pensacola FL, Board member2004- present Treasurer, 2007-present
Awards:
Award of Merit,Glass, Space Coast Arts Festival, Cocoa Beach FL, 2009
1st place, jewelry, Art in the Pass, Pass Christian MS, 2008
1st place, glass, Spring Festival of the Arts, Panama City FL, 2006
Judges Award, Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, Pensacola FL, 2005
1st place, UWF Festival on the Green Fine Arts Show, Pensacola, FL 2002
2nd place, jewelry, Riverwalk Fine Arts Festival, Milton FL, 2003
2nd place, jewelry, Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts, Gulf Breeze FL, 2001