Beading Times: How long have you been making beads?  

Sandra Greenwood: I have been making beads for approximately 2 years now... so not very long!

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

A summer vacation to Sauble Beach was what sparked an interest in bead making.  My husband and I visited a glass studio and found it very interesting. I was already familiar with glass having been a stained glass hobbyist for 5 years but this new way of working with glass was so appealing to me. We both attended a course to learn how to make lampwork beads which my husband got the hang of right away. He was making hearts and cylinder beads etc and I couldn’t get the glass to go onto the rod without breaking the bead release! I thought for sure this wasn’t for me but when we practiced at home after the studio was set up… I couldn’t see NOT doing it!

Were you interested in making beads before that?

I honestly never even knew that this type of art existed! To think that I could make my own beads for my jewellery pieces in the colour and design I wanted--- who knew?!

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

I have always been into art--- drawing, sketching, interior decorating in my house etc. and as I already mentioned, I made stained glass pieces. I do incorporate this earlier experience with glass and drawings in my beadmaking. I start with a colour scheme. Next, I sketch out the bead design and I use tools from my stained glass hobby to complete the bead by cleaning the bead hole and by “coldworking” it.

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

Sure. Here’s some of my stained glass work.

What has surprised you most about working with glass?

The thing that surprises me the most is how addictive working with glass is. Unless you’ve worked glass in this manner, you really cannot experience the joy it gives you when you experiment with techniques and reactions in the glass and receive beads that photos could never do justice to. I actually cannot wait until the kiln is ready to be opened and I can see the fruitage of my labour from the day before. They are like little pieces of candy that I want to eat! 

Have you had anyone that you consider to be a mentor? Tell us about them.

I do not know too many who make lampwork beads in my area but the amount of extremely helpful online forums that are out there is fantastic. Although I have never met these people in person, they are a helpful bunch.

Whose beads inspire you the most?

There are SO many lampworkers who inspire me!!  My ultimate favourite beader is Sarah Hornik. Her use of colour and design is so fantastic and she is very helpful to those of us who are newbies!  I also like and am inspired by Astrid Riedel’s beads.  Her techniques and designs are brilliant! There really are incredibly talented glass artists out there.

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

Yes, I am in the process of getting my Etsy page finished. You will be able to see this page at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7973347. A link to this store can be found on my webpage in the near future.  

You can contact me at www.touch-of-glass.ca where I can get my pieces into your hands or if you live nearby, you can make an appointment to stop by and see some of my latest items. On the site you can find my next event or art sale on the “Events” page.

I primarily sell my beads in finished jewellery pieces. I have sold loose beads to customers also, however, since I sketch out my jewellery and bead designs beforehand, they are usually meant to be something before I even create them!

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

No, I began working with glass as therapy or an outlet to help me cope with pain that I experience as a result of a car accident. This is a way for me to focus on something positive and help me feel like I am accomplishing something good. Since this is not a cheap hobby, I did need to at least cover the cost of the materials so I decided to sell my work through word of mouth. I have a hard time parting with them but to know that people love them as much as I do makes it a little easier! 

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

I have been in a few craft shows and the feedback has been extremely positive which is exciting. 

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

The biggest challenge for me is finding the time to get out to the studio to create beads. I am a bookkeeper by day so I really don’t get enough quality time with my glass!!!

How do you feel you have benefited from the experience? 

This art form has benefited me by allowing me to make people happy. An example of this was when I received an order from a woman whose daughter passed away from cancer. Her daughter had long; blonde, curly hair so I made a heart with gold glass spiraled around it which looked like a lock of curly golden hair. You can imagine how touched she was to see this and to this day she wears it. It makes me happy to see others happy with something I’ve made.   

Do you have any tips for first time exhibitors?

Research everything. Also, you should scope out events before you sink your money into them. You should also talk to the vendors and ask them how they feel about that particular show or event. If it’s good or bad... they will have lots to say... especially if it’s bad!!

Do you sell your beads in stores or other venues?

Primarily, I sell from my home. My family, friends and neighbours keep me plenty busy!

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 website is www.touch-of-glass.ca. 

My etsy page is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7973347

What d your friends and family think of your beadmaking?

My friends and family are extremely supportive of me. They are my number one customers. They see what is involved in making the beads so they appreciate my beads more than anyone. 

What sort of set up do you have for making beads?

I use a 23”x13” Octagonal Euclid pottery kiln with a Bartlett Digital Controller, Nortel Mega Minor Natural Gas Torch and an Air Sep Medical Grade oxygen concentrator... to be exact!

What type of glass do you use?

I use glass that is 104 COE. Moretti, CIM, Tag, Vetrofond, and Precision glass are some of the glasses I currently use. I have used some Bullseye glass also but unfortunately I do not have enough of it.     

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

I go in stages… some days I’m in the mood for all of the bright colours. Other days, I am in the mood for the earthy, natural colours. My favourite colour combination is ivory and teal. Most beaders know this combo as it has a well known reaction that takes place. I use these colours a lot in my pieces.  

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

Yes, the teal colour changes from an aqua colour to a neat emerald green. It gets a darker border around it also. It is very nice.

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

My favourite product is my bead release. It is called “Fusion Products Bead Separator. “ It is so strong and lasts a long time. My favourite glass is my Tag glass. I can easily get reactions out of it and the support from the company is unbelievable. They stand behind their product and help you to achieve what they claim their glass can do!

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

Ahh... the favourite books. I accidently put my favourite books in the recycling box.  So, when I had my books, I would read Passing the Flame and my Cindy Jenkins books. Every new beader should buy the Passing the Flame book though.

Do you have a favorite technique?

Not really... my mood determines what my favourite anything is!!

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

I go in spurts. When I can’t focus well, I work on focal beads as I can change things up with each bead and make a pile of different pieces in one sitting. I do make a lot of sets too but it requires more attention and repetition which can be more difficult for me to do at times.

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

I don’t have a “signature” bead. I’m not that experienced at it yet to make it my own.  I’m still experimenting.

What was your biggest obstacle to overcome?

My biggest obstacle would be the one I am still struggling with, and that is having the time and energy to just get out to the workshop and create! Time, energy and lack of it.

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

The easiest are the pressed beads. I normally like to shape all of my beads by hand but sometimes the design requires a “just so” shape, so I use my presses for those projects.  The beads that I find hardest or most time consuming are my fish. There are a lot of details that go into making a fish.

What is your favorite kind of bead or technique?

My favourite kind of bead is the “triangle” bead.  It gets an intricate design in it that is really pretty.

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

I absolutely do! I put them on a string and they are hanging in my workshop. I love to look at them from time to time because it shows my growth as a lampworker.

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

When I first started out, I would try to copy the tutorials on how to make certain beads and I basically made somebody else’s beads. I now use these techniques and incorporate them into my beads and now my own style is showing through. I have better control of the glass and am not afraid to push it around!!

What was your scariest beadmaking experience?

While putting a bead into the kiln, the lid came off its hinge on the one side. I lost my balance while trying to hold onto it. The lid is really hot even with protective heat resistant gloves, leather apron etc. so I couldn’t hold onto it properly and all I kept thinking was, “I am going to fall into this kiln!!” It could have been really bad.

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

I had just completed one of my latest attempts at making glass knobs. Without knowing it, I had disrupted a large bees nest and some bees started to attack me. I was dodging the bees but all the while I kept the knob in the flame!!  I had such a perfect spiral on this knob… there was NO WAY that these bees were going to ruin all the hard work I had just put into it! To this day, when I look at that glass knob, it makes me smile…  

                                                                             

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

Well for the longest time I had researched how to do the “pleated” beads and I just couldn’t find the information or instructions anywhere. While I was fiddling around with some glass one night, I tried something that somewhat looked like the “pleat” bead and I had a moment where I said, “So that’s how they did it!” I was so excited!

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

As a result of my car accident, I have a really bad memory so I have to write everything down or I’ll forget the steps involved in making my beads. When I am experimenting with different reactive colours, I make note of the levels that my oxygen/gas were at so that I can have the same results the following time. 

Also, some of my silver glasses look the same in the rod form so I paint the ends with nail polish of different colours so that I don’t get them mixed up while I’m in the middle of making a bead. Each brand of glass gets a different colour nail polish.

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 cannot work without listening to music. I listen to my satellite radio. It is a blend of different artists from Carrie Underwood, Brandi, Sting, Mariah Carey, or my fav for now… Whitney Houston.

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

There are many forums out there that give a lot of really informative, positive advice so my advice would be to check them out. 

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

No, but my husband did. It wasn’t invented by him but was his version of an already available workstation that he modified for my needs.  He made me an arm rest so that my left arm has some support. I have pain on my left side and this armrest helps to minimize this strain on my arm, neck and back. It looks like Captain Hook’s claw but it really works…”Thanks Hun”.

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

I don’t have any pictures of my studio as of yet…..

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

It depends on the week. I usually only get around 5 hours of torch time per week and that happens on the weekends for the most part. 

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

My husband is a photographer for his business 97studios. He uses a Nikon D3 and he does all of the Photoshop work. He uses a light box--- Medalight Digital Imaging Box— to keep all the photos looking relatively similar and without glare. Having very good diffused lighting works the best to minimize glare off the glass. Absolutely NO flash!!  So basically, I am JUST the artist.

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?

This is absolutely a passion. I just enjoy it as a hobby. If I make money from the things I make then it is just a big bonus but I certainly can’t count on it as an income.  

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

As this is a hobby, I just hope to be able to continue with this adventure and learn a whole pile of neat ways to work with molten glass.

Do you have a favorite bead or a “best bead.” Could you share a photograph with us?

This is a picture of my favourite bead… it’s not my best but I love it.