—Lampworking— Lampworking offers me the opportunity to express myself in 3 dimensions. I have always been attracted to glass and themes dealing with light and colour. To make each bead I melt Moretti (Effetre) glass rods in an oxygen and gas flame around 1700° F. The glass rods are heated and wound around a metal rod that has been dipped into a ceramic separating medium so the glass does'nt adhere to the metal. Close to the consistency of a thick honey, molten glass is wound around the rod and shaped into a bead. The molten glass must rotate in the flame continuously so it doesn't burn or distort its shape. Soft glass is tricky and cools quite fast. If it isn’t kept hot enough, it will break apart from thermal shock. Beads are embellished with raised or flattened dots of varying colours, patterns and opacities. Stringers (fine threads of glass which have been previously pulled by hand) are also used to draw various designs and patterns. Most beads are wrapped in a layer of clear glass as a final step to magnify details and to give them a greater sense of depth. Each glass bead is made separately, formed without the use of molds, and each one is unique. It is somewhat like sculpture - using color, form and design. A kiln which is pre-programmed to cool very slowly, is the final stage in the bead making process. This stage releases any stresses created in the glass —Jewelry Design— After cleaning the separating medium from the bead hole and then inspecting every bead, I also devote a great deal of time designing and producing one-of-a-kind finished pieces of jewelry. Most of my inspiration comes from contemplation while the are glass beads are being formed in front of the torch. It also comes from listening to great jazz, and from my ability to design with symmetry and pattern which is born out of my previous profession as a graphic designer. Beads of similar shapes, colours and sizes, as well as textures and other details are incorporated into the designs. Each bead has a separate and distinct way of presenting itself, but the key element to the design is the process of aligning all the selected components in a harmonious way. I will take apart finished pieces if they just don't feel right. Creating jewelry allows me the control and satisfaction of knowing exactly how each bead is used in a final piece. Success for me is that people enjoy my work and continue to follow me as I to grow and explore fine art glass jewelry design. I want my jewelry to enhance a wardrobe, but sometimes it can easily be the focus. The concept of producing beads, probably one of the first forms of human art, and by a method most likely used to create the very first bead ever found in antiquity, is a highly-regarded treasure. In Canada, there are a limited number of artisans actively using their own beads in jewelry design. I want people to smile when they see it and to allow the joy I had creating it come into their lives. I want people to see it not only as jewelry, but as wearable artwork. "Creativity is predicated on a system of rules and forms, in part determined by intrinsic human capabilities.
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