Growing up I realize I have always been the creative type of person. You could always find a sketch pad in my book bag or a piece of paper in my pocket. Sometimes even my book bag was the canvas. Having dabbled in a long list of art mediums jumping from one to the next not really settling in on one, in late 2005 I found my love. Hot, unpredictable molten glass!
It all started with a very cheap hobby kit I saw at a local craft store. I knew as soon as I saw it I wanted to try it. I tried it a couple times and was not at all impressed with what was achieved. I put the kit away. After several months passed I decided to give it another shot. The torch that came with the kit soon after broke which brought me to the internet in search of a replacement. What I found was a whole world full of glass possibilities and a strong community behind it.
Since that day I decided to pick the torch back up, I haven't been able to think about anything but glass. I eat sleep and dream glass. I have taken classes from many of the top glass artists in the community. What started as a fun little hobby of taking glass rods of color and winding them on a steel mandrel has now become a very rewarding full time job creating miniature works of art.
My work usually concentrates on the abstract. Using and mixing colors to create my unique disc pendants and focal beads. Once in awhile you will find me creating whimsical fish with over-sized big red lips, life like encased florals, or holiday themed beads. The best part about working with molten glass, you never really know what direction it will go until you start building the piece.
Along with my bead work. My partner and I have developed many glass supplies that are sold to other glass artists to use in their own work, such as shards which are paper thin pieces of glass that are applied to hot pieces creating interesting abstract shapes and colors. Streaky stingers that are variegated rods of color, and Fusion Frit a multicolored frit that is a product first brought to market by Avenue Beads.
The past has been fun, looking forward to what the future holds.