Archived Featured Bead Artists
Ania Karolina Kyte,
Amy Waldman Engel,
Barrie Edwards,
Jodi Lindsey,
Rebecca Voris,
Karen Elmquist,
Allison Turner,
Debbie Dimoff,
Margaret Zinser,
Slava Popov,
Faith Davis Ferris
by: Dwyn Tomlinson
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Beading Times: How
long have you been making beads?
Beading Times: What
got you started making beads?
Beading Times: My
goodness! That was organized of you! Were you interested in making beads
before that? |
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Beading Times: Did
you take a class?
Helen Simon: I
haven't taken any classes yet, but hope to.
Beading Times: Have
you had anyone that you consider to be a mentor? Tell me about them.
Helen Simon: Not
yet, although a local Lampworker Jennifer Otte helped get me started. I have
learned lots from both ISGB
and WetCanvas!,
two forums for Lampworkers.
Beading Times: Whose
beads inspire you the most?
Helen Simon: Go
look at the highest price page on eBay beads made in US, and most of my favorites
are there!
Beading Times: Do
you sell your beads?
Helen Simon: I
sell them on eBay.
Beading Times: Do
you make beads for friends?
Helen Simon: Yes,
I have a local Christmas Open House party for my friends.
Beading Times: What
does your spouse and family think of your beadmaking?
Helen Simon: My
husband says I'm an artistic genius, and my little son likes the extra money
for video games!
Beading Times: What
sort of set up do you have for making beads? (Type of torch, gas, kiln, etc.)
Helen Simon: I
have an Evenheat Jewelbox Kiln, a GTT (Glass Torch Technologies) Bobcat torch,
a Devilbiss Oxygen Concentrator, and I use Propane. I used Propylene gas when
I started on my HotHead, which was a gift from my quilting friend, Debbie.
Beading Times: Do
you have a favorite product, i.e. bead release, glass, etc.
Helen Simon: I
use a variety of Clays and Glasses now. My Husband mixes Purple Piffle with
Alice's bead release, for a great coverage which holds up to my tugging, but
releases easily for him … he often cleans my beads. My favorite glass is
probably Gold Ruby, and all the Dichroics.
Beading Times: What
type of glass do you use?
Helen Simon: I
mix Moretti, Vetrofond, and Lauscha glasses, and use Czech glass and Bullseye
only with each other.
Beading Times: Do
you have a favorite technique?
Helen Simon: I
like to make sculptural beads, mostly botanicals. I've grown flowers and herbs
for many years and crafted Wreaths and Soaps, so I'm familiar with my old friends.
Beading Times: Do
you make sets?
Helen Simon: Sometimes.
Beading Times: Which
do you prefer to make, a pile of beads or a single perfect bead?
Helen Simon: I
prefer a big fat full blown Rose, but always add some foliage, so she won't
get lonely, and for a natural look.
Beading 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.
Helen Simon: Last
year I made Chickens, this year it's Roses — must be an annual trend —
I wonder what's on the agenda for next year...
Beading Times: What
was your biggest obstacle to overcome?
Helen Simon: Fear
of the Flame. I overcame it by buying a shield which really helps keep the heat
off my face.
Beading Times: What
is the hardest kind of bead to make for you?
Helen Simon: Encased
Flowers, or encased anything. I haven't learned those yet, but they're on my
list of things to do.
Beading Times: The
easiest?
Helen Simon: Tiny
mandrel rounds...I usually use huge 1/8" mandrels, so it's a treat to use
1/16" mandrels.
Beading Times: What
is your favorite kind of bead or technique?
Helen Simon:
Right now it's sculptural Roses, and I'm challenged to develop a "vocabulary"
of many flowers. But I bore easily, and know my Beads will change significantly
in this Grand Glassy Adventure.
Beading Times: How
have your beads changed? Since you started or over the years?
Helen Simon: The
round ones are rounder, and I'm able to work smaller. I use transparents over
opaques now for interesting colors, and sometimes mix special shades of glass.
I've learned that every different glass has its own personality, not consistently,
but varying with each batch. I have to work with each to see what I want to
use the glass for — what a creative medium, more excitement than I've ever
had. Many nights I don't sleep well in anticipation of opening my kiln in the
morning, dreaming of my bead babies like a pregnant woman. I'm not alone in
this excitement either, as many glass friends share these same emotions!
Beading Times: Do
you still have the first beads you made? What do you think of them now?
Helen Simon:
No, I sold most of them. My friends started ordering beads as soon as they saw
them, although they were so primitive. What I didn't sell, I gave away to
charity.
Beading Times: What
was your scariest beadmaking experience?
Helen Simon: Well,
it did take me two weeks to get up enough nerve to light my HotHead torch...that
was pretty scary. Then I got sunburned standing in the sun making beads, way
too thrilled to stop.
Beading Times: Could
you share with us some pictures of your studio set up?
Helen Simon: Sure,
let me vacuum first.
Beading Times: What
about photographing your beads what do you use to get your pictures?
Helen Simon: I
have a Sony MVC-FD75, and use it outside, which seems to be adequate, although
not ideal.
Beading Times: Do
you have a website or auction site that you regularly sell you beads on?
Helen Simon: I
do: my site is www.helensharvest.com,
and I sell regularly on eBay under US Lampwork, s ellername=helensharvest.
Beading Times: Where
do you see yourself going with this glassworking? Or, if you like, where do
you see it taking you?
Helen Simon: When
I began learning lampworking, I desired to make my own beads for my artquilts,
purses and jewelry designing, but I actually packed away my dyes, batting and
seedbeads, to make room for my glass equipment. Lampworking has become a consuming
interest in my life, one which I hope remains for a long while...
Because of the constant demand EBay requires for fresh design, and the quantity
of listings to become "known" to the lampwork buyers — there
are thousands of lampwork listings— I think my skill has grown more quickly
than if I were just making beads to satisfy my own creative urge. I have been
very blessed with great success, my husband grateful enough to do the housework,
and I thank God for the bounty of ideas and opportunities He constantly provides
for me.
Beading Times is pleased to present a monthly article spotlighting a lampwork bead artist. If you, or someone you know is interested in being featured, please contact dwyn@beadingtimes.com.
