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KDardenMy dad was a lapidary in his later years, and taught me a little about fabricating sterling silver settings. He also created a scrimshaw set-up for me (scribed ivory, ivory nut or bone). I loved it, but had to give it up because all the years of typing (in the jobs that supported me and my daughter) caused some minor carpal tunnel problems with numbness. That's also the reason I don't hand quilt any more. Several years ago I started playing with Precious Metal Clay - and began creating beautiful silver jewelry for myself and my friends. While I loved making jewelry, I am primarily a designer. I wanted to have access to the colors and designs that *I* wanted, the designs I saw in my mind, without having to search them out. So, a couple of years ago I started thinking seriously about glass beadmaking and began to look for classes in my area. We are a small community, but have a huge number of self-representing artists. We have an annual art festival every year near the Autumn Equinox called the North Country Fair. The fair has been going on for over 30 years, and we still have friends throughout California and Oregon who make the trek every year to purchase items for their Christmas lists. Luckily, I found a lampworking teacher and learned about hot glass! I set up a small studio alongside my silkpainting and fabric dying area, and have been playing ever since. Along the way I upgraded to a better torch, and I finally got my kiln, so now all my beads are annealled - good thing too, since some of my early favorites broke while simply cleaning and handling them. Over the past year or so I have focused more on fused glass - mostly because we need to upgrade the ventilation in my studio to better accommodate the propane/oxygen mix that my torch uses and to protect my health. It's also easier to get the dichroic magic with fusing than with lampworking! I make my jewelry from as many personally made items as I can. I use my lampworked beads; my fused glass pendants; my wire-wrapped beads and stones; my precious metal clay items(.999 fine silver); and the occasional beach stone that I pick up while looking for driftwood. I use the driftwood (and my fused glass) to make suncatchers and windchimes, and I still love painting silk scarves, purses and other wearable art. You can see some of my glass and wire work at http://fireblessedart.com. Since I am busy with crafts shows and my work is mostly one-of-a-kind, there is not a lot of jewelry there (I often sell the pieces before I have a chance to get them uploaded)!! I also have pieces in various galleries and shops around the area.
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Comments
Angelbeelu33 @ 02/24/08 01:46
Your art work is just wonderful. Thanks for sharing them.
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