Every three months Lampwork Web will feature a new lampwork artist! The feature will include information about the artist, an interview, photos of their work and links to their website and auctions.

February 2008

All Past Featured Artists Here

Tell us a little about yourself:

I'm 36 and live with my very supportive boyfriend, 3 dogs and a cat in Langley, BC, Canada. I am a full time lampworker and jewelry designer and have my work in several galleries here in BC and other parts of Canada. I have been selling beads on ebay occasionally for about 3 years which is a great way to meet other bead enthusiasts out there!

When I'm not at the torch or the jewelry table, I spend my time volunteering at our local rabbit shelter, Mercy's Reach. I am one of the founding directors and will soon be featuring some bead auctions to help raise money for the bunnies!

How long have you been lampworking?

I started lampworking in September, 2000 and haven't looked back!

How did you get started in glass work?

A friend of mine, Walt Pinder, was teaching beginner lampwork classes and I was curious as to what this was all about. So for my birthday, I treated myself to one of his classes and loved it so much I bought my first beginner's kit right then and there!

What is your favorite type of glass to work with?

I mostly use Moretti / Effetre and of course love the Double Helix glass colors and try to get them when I can. This past year I have been experimenting with my friend Michelle Lusk's glass, Caliente Cane which is a fabulous 96 glass that looks just like boro! The colors are great and I use her glass a lot for beads in my jewelry collections.

Do you have a signature bead or design? A style you are known for?

I think that most people have gotten to know my work because of my dragonfly beads. I started out by making one for a friend as a custom order and liked it so much I kept making them. I've spent over a year developing the particular style of dragonfly bead I do and love the challenges that each one brings. I am also known in my local bead community for my hollow beads and hollow hearts and feature them in my jewelry collections although I haven't really put them on ebay or for sale as beads alone.

Is there anything/anyone special that influences your work? Gives you inspiration?

Certainly the well-known artists out there inspire me to push my limits and expand my skills, but I am also fortunate to have a fabulously talented group of peers who inspire me daily. Debra Kallen, Stephanie Cannon and Michelle Lusk all produce beads to drool over. Not only are they good friends, but inspire me greatly with their talent! I am also inspired by nature; sunsets, gardens, critters (especially dragonflies and bees!) and vivid colors. I can also look through a magazine, or look at a piece of fabric and see the potential for a really great bead there. I am always inspired and find that everywhere I look I get ideas. Now if only I had the time to try them all! lol!

Some of Kerri's beautiful work: click images for a larger view!

What is the longest time you have spent making one bead?

I once spent 3 hours on a large hole focal that has two dragonflies encircling it and loads of flowers. (photo included). It's a HUGE bead and in my personal collection. I nearly went cross-eyed making it!

What is your favorite part about making beads?

The entire experience is exhilarating! I love detail work so applying stringer and having it turn into the picture in my head is always exciting for me! Then there's the thrill of having other people comment on my work when I post it somewhere or do a show. I love feedback!

Do you also make jewelry with your beads? Any favorite pieces?

I do a lot of jewelry! I especially enjoy creating large, dramatic necklaces as it lets me use a lot of my beads and lots of stones....I love stones, pearls and loads of silver! Most of my jewelry designs are big and bold (like my beads!) and require a confident woman to wear them. My favorite pieces lately are my vessels and "Heart of Gold" necklaces.

Any advice for lampwork bead shoppers?

Please take the time to research before you buy. I was so glad to find the SRA website because it's important that we educate the public about what we do as self representing artists and separate us from those that mass produce lampwork beads. Now, saying that, there are some mass produced work out there that isn't bad quality, but sadly most of it is. It saddens me when I hear of hardworking jewelry designers who end up buying lampwork that isn't artisan made and having it break on them. It's such a competitive market and there are many overseas manufacturers that are pretty slick when it comes to marketing their product. It can be hard for a new buyer to know what they are buying. So look for the SRA logo and do a little homework! As self-representing-artists we stand behind our work and are proud of what we do. Quality and originality are what we strive for so you are always assured of the best investment for your bead dollar!

Thank you for sharing your story with us Kerri!

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