in the studio
The
studio, a.k.a the Bead Shack, is where the magic happens. You'll
find me out there every opportunity I get. It's time to create, meditate,
contemplate and work out the week's frustrations and stresses. It's therapy,
really.
the making of a bead
Ever wondered how beads are created? The following is a brief overview of the process...
A bead begins with a bit of glass (I use soda-lime glass, mainly Italian Moretti), a metal rod called a mandrel, and a torch (a). The glass is held in the flame until it reaches a semi-molten state and is then wound around the mandrel.
From there, the magic begins! The glass can be manipulated in any number of ways. For instance it can be rolled in siver foil (b), rolled in ground glass called frit (c), and encased in clear glass (c) to add depth to the details. The possibilities are endless, as are the results.
The final step is to slowly cool the glass in a kiln, hardening it to ensure durability. See the steps in larger detail.
Each bead is made with a little magic, a little chemistry, and lots of imagination.
