Each month 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.

January 2007

All Past Featured Artists Here

Tell us a little about yourself:
I lived most of my childhood out in the Far East so I am fascinated by all things oriental and hope one day to be able to translate this into my work, the Chinese/Asian style designs seem simple but are in fact extremely difficult to do effectively. I have been working in purchasing and as a financial controller for quite a number of years but hope one day to be able to make beads on a full time basis.

I do make some jewellery but since starting making beads it takes second place and I don’t get so much done.

I used to paint using watercolours and have always been interested in anything to do with colour or design.

I am a member of British Lampwork (www.britishlampwork.co.uk) which is an organization for the promotion of British beadmakers and I am also a member and the treasurer of GBUK, the British beadmakers society. (www.gbuk.org) GBUK also promote British beadmakers and hold an annual beadshow.

I hope one day to visit the United States specifically to take lots and lots of classes with all the wonderful beadmakers over there.

I have tried making all sorts of beads including my Stonehenge set, sculpture, watercolours, encased flowers, organics and even some fun type beads. I feel I want to try all types and I expect I will settle down to a type that suits me at some point, or maybe I will just continue to experiment. I really like to make abstract type organic beads and I expect that is where my experiments will eventually lead me.

How long have you been lampworking?

I took my first class August 2005 and I finally got set up at the end of October 2005. It was love at first sight.

How did you get started in glass work?

I was making jewellery and felt restricted by the available beads, then I went to the GBUK Beadfair and fell in love with the lampwork beads, I was on a class two days later.

What is your favorite type of glass to work with?

I like all the glass, each type is a different challenge, I use mostly Effetre, Laucha, ASK and Vetrofond, but I have tried Bullseye and look forward to Satake one day, its on my list of things to do.

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

I think it's a bit early in my beadmaking career to have fully developed a style but I tend to make bigger beads, I love the bigger canvas. I make curved beads and people know me for that but I think at the moment I am known for my focal lentil beads. I also work a lot with enamels.

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

I know everyone says it but nature inspires me, I have always loved the elements, storms, sunsets, the clouds, trees, the sea, but also, every other beadmaker inspires me, the variety of work is endless, my favourite glass person is Loren Stump, the man is simply awesome, I took a class with him and was permanently open mouthed with wonder at his ability to understand and manipulate glass. I think Teresa Lailberte’s work is stunning, Diana East makes the most unusual and beautifully styled beads, Angelina Beadalina is fairly new to beadmaking but her beads are so original. I think Andrea Guarino’s beads are fantastic and I envy her style.

I also admire quite a few of the up and coming British Beadmakers.

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

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

About an hour for a goddess bead, I think longer than that and I would lose concentration and the use of my arms.

What is your favorite part about making beads?

Firstly I love the way you disappear inside yourself and for the time it takes to make a bead you are “away with the fairies” as they say in Ireland. The utter peace of it cannot be equaled.

Secondly I had a thrilling moment when someone who bought one of my beads phoned me to tell me how much she loved it. She made my day. To think someone valued something I had made was very humbling.

Thirdly the one thing I am constantly amazed about since starting beadmaking is the total willingness of glass artists to share their techniques and experience of glass. Its amazing that someone “famous” for their art and ability will take the time and trouble to help someone just starting out. Beadmakers are unique people.

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

Yes I still make jewellery and I am going on a Silversmithing course, starting in January for 6 months. But I still prefer making beads and my main reason for going on the course, I have to admit, is to learn how to do silver core beads and to add to my skills in order to decorate my beads better.

I don't have any favourite pieces of jewellery but I do like wearing one of my curved beads just on a piece of leather and I like to interchange them until I have decided what I will do with a particular bead.

Any advice for lampwork bead shoppers?

Buy what you love. That’s my advice, if it really appeals to you then you will treasure it and admire it forever. Beware though, you generally get what you pay for and really nice handmade beads do cost more.

Thank you for sharing your story with us Lesley!

Want to become a Featured Artist? Send us an e-mail for an application!