About Me
Making lampworked glass beads combines my childhood appreciation for glass miniatures with a lifelong love of marbling, sparkling inclusions, patterns, and color. Textile designs influence my tie dye dot and lacework beads. My stone series and crackled cloud beads reflect nature in the earth and sky. The work of other artists always inspires me: my shadow dot beads echo the Australian Aboriginal dot paintings; my squiggle beads suggest Jackson Pollock's multilayered style; and my enamel beads recreate some of the effects of the Impressionists. My versions of organic, marbled, and shard beads explore abstract texture, line, and color.
The process of melting, shaping, and decorating glass fascinates me. The form of glass changes in the torch flame from rock hard to clay malleable to honey soft. Experimenting with new glass colors and techniques makes my heart sing each time I fire up the torch.
I learned new techniques from Trey Cornette, Sage & Tom Holland, John Winter, Brad Pearson, Deanna Griffin Dove, Kate Fowle Meleney, Caitlyn Hyde, Kimberly Adams, Jim Smircich, Beth Metts, and Marilyn Jobe. I thank them all for their generosity and acknowledge their influence in my work, but I strive to find my own voice in glass. I take pride in creating my own styles of beads, and periodically revisit my designs to try out new colors or shapes. I also set aside the time for my creativity to lead me in new directions.
I feel honored to receive recognition at the Virginia Hot Glass Festival in 2010 with a First Place award for flame-worked glass. The collaborative pieces made with my husband also won various awards. In 2004, Lark Books published the first of my stone series beads in their book '1000 Glass Beads.' The Peninsula Glass Guild awarded my work Best in Show at their members' show in 2001.
I'm always delighted to share with others my joy in lampworking. Thank you for taking the time to enjoy my work.