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Posted in lampwork, lampworking, thoughts, wirework on Feb 1st, 2010
I had a set of beads that I loved, but which languished unbought in my display, show after show. People were drawn to them, would pick them up and fondle them, would put them down slowly and regretfully–but never bought them. I was beginning to think that they were in fact made of chopped liver. [...]
Posted in art, beads, business, creative process, lampworking, musings, sales, work, writing on Jan 30th, 2010
People who work at home know that one of the biggest challenges comes from people who cannot understand that the teleworker cannot drop anything at a moment’s notice and visit a friend or relative. Because housework does have a certain degree of flexibility (though the idea that it is somehow not “real work” is wrongheaded [...]
Posted in lampworking, technique on Dec 29th, 2008
We’ve all heard the saying that it’s a poor workman who blames his tools. In general, that’s right. The best tools in the world won’t turn a shoddy craftsperson into a good one, and someone with superb skills can often turn out the most amazing work despite poor or makeshift tools. But sometimes you reach [...]
Posted in Beads of Courage, Southern Flames, charity, lampworking on Nov 23rd, 2008
This weekend I went up to Beads by Design in Marietta to spend some time torching. The Southern Flames support a wonderful charity, Beads of Courage. Beads of Courage helps children who are undergoing treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer or leukemia. Each treatment wins the child a bead for his or her string, [...]
Posted in art, lampworking, practice, studio on Nov 22nd, 2008
A few days ago on my Wall at 1000Markets, NineDragons commented that she wondered about how I controlled the design on the beads, and suggested a blog post. That seems like a good idea to me, but I thought I’d start with my studio, not with a technique. “Studio” is a misnomer. I work in [...]
Posted in beads, business, lampworking on Jul 30th, 2008
There are a lot of people selling “artist-made” lampwork beads out there, and the sheer variety can be extremely confusing for the consumer. In particular, the range of prices can generate consumer questions. Why can one seller list twelve handmade beads for $4.50 … total … whereas other sellers list five small beads for $25? [...]
Posted in Belle Armoire Jewelry response, Carter Seibels, Ebay, ageism, bead sales, creativity, etsy, lampworking on Jul 21st, 2008
As I noted in my last blog, this week in some parts of the lampworking community there was a heated argument sparked by a recent interview with Carter Seibels in the summer 2008 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry. The argument revolved around two statements in the article, one about presses and one about creativity and [...]
Posted in Belle Armoire, Carter Seibels, beads, creativity, innovation, lampworking, presses on Jul 20th, 2008
This week in some parts of the lampworking community there was a heated argument sparked by a recent interview with Carter Seibels in the summer 2008 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry. The argument revolved around two statements in the article, one about presses and one about creativity and age. I’m going to respond to the [...]