Beading Times: How long have you been making beads?

Anouk Jasperse: Since September 2007 

What got you started making beads? Did you take a class?

Well, I was fascinated by glass beads quite some time. As a child, my mother couldn’t pull me away from all the Swarovski crystal at a jewelers shop. In my teens, I just loved seeing all the Tiffany work there was available. And just a few years ago, I started collecting Trollbeads and just couldn’t understand how those pretty, tiny glass beads were made. Well, thank god for Google... I found all that I needed to know (also from youtube), and it was a thing called lampworking/beadmaking! I always loved drawing, painting and working with clay. I just knew that lampworking would be something I’d really enjoy. I signed up for a class, got my own set-up and got started…

Were you interested in making beads before that?

Not really beads, just all kinds of things. Mostly little figures/animals made out of clay.

Did you have an artistic or craft history before that? How has that translated into the beadmaking, if at all?

I always loved the little details in my work. Whether it was in clay or paint, I sometimes just couldn’t stop adding dots, ornaments etc. I still do that to my beads as well. Ha!

Can you share a photo of some of your other works with us?

I’m sorry, I don’t have pictures of my other works.

What has surprised you most about working with glass?

The versatility of the material and the endless possibilities of it! You can take your imagination and just create about everything you like. It’s awesome!

Have you had anyone that you consider to be a mentor?

Tell us about them.

Well, I’ve had several mentors I guess. My first mentor was the lady who taught me the first steps of beadmaking. I love taking classes and I’ve been taught by Pati Walton, Melanie Moertel, Sherry Bellamy and Carla di Francesco. All of them taught me new things, styles and techniques that I can use in my beads.

Whose beads inspire you the most?

Do I really have to choose? There are so many! No I can’t choose, I’m afraid I would forget someone…

Do you sell your beads? Do you sell them by themselves, or already made up into jewelry?

Yes I do, and actually I do both. I mostly sell just the beads, especially online, but I also make finished jewelry. Mostly bracelets and/or necklaces.

Did you intend to sell your beads when you first started? What got you started selling them?

Well, actually no! When I started beadmaking, it was just for the fun of it. I loved melting glass. I think I made 1000 beads in the first 3 months, I was hooked! It was later on, when I started to show my work a little more often, that people requested me to sell my work. I never even thought of it before that.

Have you ever taken part in a bead or art/craft show?

Yes, but I don’t do if often. I’ve been asked to demonstrate some beadmaking at two shows, and I also had a little booth there to sell my beads. That was at the Flame Off in the UK and the Flame On in the Netherlands.

What was the biggest challenge you encountered? What did you enjoy the most?

I wanted to learn about every technique there is to learn with soft glass. I really, really wanted that. I encountered many challenges, but I guess the biggest one is my impatience. Second, I really wanted to learn how to use that special shiny glass (later, I found out it was silver glass). I think I messed up about $200 of precious glass, because there were no real “how to” instructions at that time. Now, it’s my “trademark” and I teach people how to use this wonderful glass. I even wrote 2 tutorials about it. I really enjoy that a lot!

How do you feel you have benefited from the experience? 

Well, I guess I learned so much about the glass, I benefit from it every day! I don’t even think I have made any bead without the use of silver glass.

Do you have any tips for first time exhibitors?

Honestly, not really. I’m not really an exhibitor.

Do you sell your beads in stores or other venues?

No (not yet that is).

Do you have a website or auction site that you regularly sell you beads on? If so, what is the url/id info, etc. 

My Etsy site is: www.etsy.com/shop/TrollLover and you can take a look at my work on my photo page,  www.flickr.com/anoukjasperse. Ebay is not my cup of tea and my own website is still in development.

What do your friends and family think of your beadmaking?

They all love it. Actually I come from a “not so creative” family, and all of them were pleasantly surprised about my work. They buy it, or I gift some beads/jewelry to them. I always have a nice Birthday gift for a female relative, it never fails ha .

What sort of set up do you have for making beads? (Type of torch, gas, kiln, etc.)

I work on a GTT Bobcat, with 2 oxycons. I have a small kiln (Uterm BA1).

What type of glass do you use?

Mostly COE 104 and all the brands there are available. Moretti/Effetre and Vetrofond of course, but also CIM, Reichenbach, some Bullseye and of course “every” silver glass brand there is (most common are Double Helix, TAG, GTG, Precision and my personal favorite, StrikingColor).

Do you have any favorite colors or color combinations of glass rod to work with?

I have several! I think that the combination of Double Helix Psyche over the Moretti hand-pulled Opal yellow is my all time favorite combination. I have shared that combination online (www.lampworketc.com), it makes the Psyche do some magic. I love experimenting with colors, mostly to see if it effects the silver glass, and if so, in what way.

Here’s the link to the thread where Anouk shares her secret combination in the  lampworketc.com forms.

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91758&page=4

Do these colors (or combos.) create a special reaction when used in a certain way? Tell us about it.

The Psyche gets this gorgeous Mother of Pearl shine when you put it on top of opal yellow, reduce and encase it. Yummy!

Do you have a favorite product, i.e. bead release, glass, etc.

You know, I never even really thought about it… I can tell you I prefer to use Fusion bead release, but to call it my favorite product… No, not really.

I guess my favorite product is my $0,50 knife. It’s a small, sharp knife that I use for about anything when I make my beads. It’s my stump shaper, my graphite marver, etc. I couldn’t make a bead without it .

Do you have a favorite beadmaking book or piece of instructional material (video, etc.)?

Not a particular one, honestly.

Do you have a favorite technique?

Yes! I love the “tornado” technique in combination with silver glass. And I also really enjoy making beads with a “new” technique I’ve been working on, “Armadillo” beads.

Are you a “set” person or a “focal bead” person?

Absolutely a focal person. I really have to be in the right mood to make a whole set. I get easily bored, and making 10 “the same” beads is really killing me slowly…

Have you developed a “signature” bead, a unique type of bead that is recognizably yours? Tell us about it, how you developed it, etc.

Most signature for my work is the use of silver glass and the vibrant colors of it. Second, I think that my “Crunchies” (silver glass with the tornado technique) and my recent “Armadillo’s” could be called signature beads. It’s hard to make something “signature” when you just love to make many versatile beads.

What was your biggest obstacle to overcome?

I had to think a long time about this one, but I actually couldn’t think of anything. That is, there were obstacles of course, but I guess don’t consider any of them as “big”.

What is the hardest kind of bead to make for you? The easiest?

I really don’t like making florals… I really love those pretty, life-like floral beads.

I even made some florals, just because I think I should be able to make them. But I work screaming hot and with florals, that’s not a good thing… LOL. So again, my impatience is my struggle. The easiest? Anything with silver glass I guess ;-).

What is your favorite kind of bead or technique?

Besides tornado and armadillo, I really like using the “chaos” technique by Sherry Bellamy. It’s just mind-breaking to see a bead made with it.

Do you still have the first beads you made? What do you think of them now?

Of course! They are in a big jar of fuglies and they rest in peace… ;-). They are hideous, of course! But I still remember how proud I was of them! I showed them to everyone who was interested and I can still remember my husband asking me: “You really like them yourself?” I guess he never would have thought I would come this far, by judging my first beads lol.

How have your beads changed? Since you started or over the years?

They have gotten more complex, as well on the inside as the outside. They have also grown bigger, I love big beads! I’m hoping they have gotten more of my personality in them (a bit crazy, colorful and quite big, lol).

What was your scariest beadmaking experience?

The time I thought I was passing the flame with my hand, but instead I put it in the flame… *ouch*

Do you have a humorous beadmaking experience or moment to share with us?

Well… Honestly I can’t really think of something worth telling….

Have you had any “glass epiphanies” while working – some revelation or understanding? What were they?

Several… And I still have them, at my torch. Mostly about heat control, or special color development. That’s what I find so intriguing about silver glass: it’s a surprise every time!

Do you have a technique, method or tip to share?

My best tip: practice and investigate. The beadmaking community is very generous in sharing tips and advice.

Do you listen to music when you work, or prefer complete silence?

If you listen to music what is your favorite type of music or artist to listen to while you work?

I love to listen to music. I actually just put on the radio, listen to mostly pop songs. Making beads is also a moment of relaxation for me, and music really helps too.

Do you have any advice or encouraging words for someone who is just starting out in glass?

Dare! Try to experiment, do crazy things with glass and just enjoy it.

Have you “invented” any new tools, or recycled something that wouldn’t ordinarily be thought of as a tool for lampworking?

Not that I know of.

Anouk has written two tutorials on beadmaking; “Making Silver Glass Sing - Reducing Silver Glass” and “Making Silver Glass Sing Volume 2 - Working with Striking Colors”. Both are currently available for purchase in her Etsy shop.

Could you share with us some pictures of your studio set up?

I would have to make them first! My work space is messy… and I really do mean messy…

How much time do you spend making beads (in hours) per week?

Is it enough?

About 12 to 15 hours per week. It’s enough for me, as it’s not my profession, it’s just a “hobby”.

What about photographing your beads – what do you use to get your pictures and do you have any tips or tricks to share?

I have a Canon 1000-D with just the regular lens. I just make sure that bead has enough (indirect) light, I want the colors to come out as true as possible.

Is this a job, or a passion? Or both? How much of making beads/playing with hot glass is about just making them, vs. making a living?

It’s a passion. I have a full time job, I work as a Project Manager for the Dutch government. Beadmaking is my true moment of Zen... relaxation therapy as I like to call it. I just enjoy it so much, it’s a true passion (besides horse riding).

Where do you see yourself going with lampworking/glassworking in the future? Or, where do you see it taking you?

I don’t know, I just let it all happen.

Do you have a favorite bead, a “best bead.” Can you share a photograph with us?

The thing is… Mostly, my newest beads become my “favorites”. I don’t have an all-time best just yet. Maybe you can pick one for me?