—Lampworking—

The process of making beads begins with italian moretti glass rods that are heated and wound around a metal rod that
has been dipped into a ceramic separating medium. Close to the consistency of a thick honey, molten glass is wound around a rod and
shaped into a bead. The molten glass must rotate continuously in front of a flame so it doesn't burn or distort. Soft glass is tricky
because it cools fast, and If it isn’t kept hot enough, it will break from thermal shock. My beads are embellished with raised or flattened
dots of varying colours, patterns and opacities. Most are well-known techniques, but I have a couple original techniques and many original shapes that are created from time to time while experimenting or playing. The point is that each glass bead is made separately, usually formed without molds, and each one is unique. Somewhat like sculpture - using color, form and design, lampworking offers me
the opportunity to play in 3 dimensions. All the glass beads are carefully crafted and annealed for strength and durability.
Beads can be dropped without the worry of breakage - of course to a certain point, it is still glass.

I recently completed a glass intensive at "The Studio" in Corning NY. After I returned and after many failed attempts, I finally finished
my first signature cane. Having a signature cane now identifies my pieces and later on can become collector pieces. This particular cane, while very tiny, is magnified when clear glass is added on top (while the bead is being made). At the Studio, I learned allot, had fun, (highly recommended) and I also came home with a paper weight. Although I had help during its final assembly and flame polishing, I actually made the paper weight, and all the components inside of it! I display it during my studio tours. Its only about 2", but I now have a deep respect and admiration for paperweights. My new favorite glass artisit is Paul Stankart.

—Jewelry Design—

In addition to making the beads, I also design the jewelry pieces. Each bead has a separate and distinct way of presenting itself, but the key element is aligning all the components in a harmonious way. This is where I shine. Creating jewelry allows me the control and satisfaction of knowing exactly how each bead is used in a final piece. Repeated patterns and techniques are often used to
create a series of work, but all my beads are made one-at-a-time and is a completely different process to fusing glass.

Success for me, of course is the sales, but its also that women enjoy wearing my work. I hope to continue art glass and jewelry design. Both of which have endless possibilities. I seem to be getting better and faster as the years go by, but I still have so much to learn and to explore. 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 for me to be able to pursue. Now, a little boasting... I was awarded 2nd place for the category of jewellery from an Ontario Juried Craft Show in 2008 with over 375 vendors... It was really great to recieve the recognition.

I love to see people smile when they see and finally wear my pieces. In this fashion, perhaps the joy I experienced while I created them,
can enter into their lives too. You would be buying jewellery of course, but also a tiny piece of wearable artwork with every bead. These
are not high production pieces, but I do make large hole beads, and these beads are sold individually from $10.00 to $45.00 ea.
They can also have silver liners added for an additional cost.

• New Pieces •

"Creativity is predicated on a system of rules and forms, in part determined by intrinsic human capabilities.
Without such constraints we have arbitrary and random behavior, not creative acts." - Noam Chomsky, 1975