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,
Helen Harvest,
Dwyn Tomlinson,
Kristy Naray,
Connie Paul,
Rosemary Tottosy,
Jennifer Gurganux,
Jinx Garza,
Nikki Lynn Carollo,
Cathy Lybarger,
NLM Glass Artists,
Linda James,
Kandice Seeber
by: Dwyn Tomlinson
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Beading Times: How
long have you been making beads?
Beading Times: What
got you started making beads? |
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Beading Times: Were
you interested in making beads before that?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: I
had always used beads of one form or another in my jewelry designs. I had no
idea how they were made so I didn't even realize that I could make them myself
until I stumbled across other lampwork artist's websites. Now my husband and
I both enjoy lampworking.
Beading Times: Did
you take a class?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: No,
we learned from a Kate Fowle video and Cindy Jenkins beginner book. That's not
to say we wouldn't like to take a class though!
Beading Times: What
has surprised you most about working with glass?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: How
relaxing it was and how much creative imagination (and patience) really goes
into making just one bead.
Beading Times: Have
you had anyone that you consider to be a mentor? Tell me about them.
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Faith
Ferris was my first lampworking friend. (Editor's
note: read the interview with Faith Davis here.) I had admired her beads
for quite some time. In getting to know her work, I got to know her. She's a
very down-to-earth & funny lady! From there, I met other fantastic bead
artists. All of whom I consider to be a mentor in some fashion or another because
each artist brings their own personalities & style into their work. Who
wouldn't look up to people like that?
Beading Times: Whose
beads inspire you the most?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: There
are just too many fantastic works of art out there to pinpoint only one as a
main inspiration.
Beading Times: Do
you sell your beads?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Yes
we do! We sell them on Ebay and from our web site.
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Beading Times: Do
you make beads for friends? Beading Times: What does your family think of your beadmaking? |
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Beading Times: What
sort of set up do you have for making beads? (Type of torch, gas, kiln, etc.)
Jocelyn Pappadakis: We
use a propane/oxygen set up with two torches, two concentrators and two propane
tanks. We both use a minor bench burner.
Beading Times: What
type of glass do you use?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Moretti
and Lauscha.
Beading Times: Do
you have a favorite product, i.e. bead release, glass, etc.
Jocelyn Pappadakis: I'm
totally in love with my CBS lentil tool. Of course there are lots of shapes
that I try out. In the end I reach for the lentil tool as my tool of choice
for making a shape.
Beading Times: Do
you have a favorite technique?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: I
absolutely love a bead that is jam packed with detail! I enjoy creative dot
placement with a nicely detailed end result.
Beading Times: Are
you a "set person" or a "focal bead" person?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Definitely
sets. Unless I end up making a bead for a set, a little on the large side, I
don't end up making many focals.
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.
Jocelyn Pappadakis: I'd
have to say lots of dots, lots of bumps and in general, lots of eye catching
detail.
Beading Times: What
was your biggest obstacle to overcome?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Realizing
that I would not set myself on fire or blow the place up by lighting the torch.
Beading Times: What
is the hardest kind of bead to make for you?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Scrolls.
Definitely scrolls. I'm getting better with lots and lots of practice though!
Beading Times: The
easiest?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: A
simple bumpy bead.
Beading Times: What
is your favorite kind of bead or technique?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: I
can't decide on a favorite kind of bead or technique to stick with. That's why
my style keeps evolving.
Beading Times: Do
you still have the first beads you made? What do you think of them now?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: I
don't have the beads but I do have photographs of them. I am always amazed at
how far I have come when I look back.
Beading Times: How
have your beads changed? Since you started or over the years?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: I
think they are more precise than when I first started out. Dot placement, spirals,
Saturns etc. are all more precise.
Beading Times: What
was your scariest beadmaking experience?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: I
forgot to shut off the oxygen one time when lighting the torch. That big POP
was pretty darn scary!
Beading Times: Have
you had any "glass epiphanies" while working - some revelation or
understanding? What were they?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Sometimes
the simplest thing can just smack you right in the face. Know what I mean? I
sit and wonder "how is that done?" Then when I figure it out, it's
so extremely simple I'm like … duh! As an example, those melted in flowers
where the petals just seem to gravitate towards the stamen area. A little poke
helps!
Beading Times: Do
you have a technique or method or tip to share?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Hmm
well, I don't encase flowers like lots of other lampwork artists do. I don't
go with the big swoop of clear over the entire bead. Instead, I put a drop of
clear over each petal, melt that in and then poke the stamen hole and add a
small drop of clear over that and melt in. Technically, the flower IS encased
(and less distorted).
Beading Times: Have
you "invented" any new tools, or recycled something that wouldn't
ordinarily be thought of as a tool for lampworking?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: I
can't say that I have. The only thing out of the ordinary that I use is a stainless
steel small jelly knife. I use that to smash flower petals.
Beading Times: Could
you share with us some pictures of your studio set up?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Sure!
I have a few pictures but they're marked up with arrows and details so I'll
show you the one that doesn't have all that clutter.
Beading Times: What
about photographing your beads - what do you use to get your pictures?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: We
use an Olympus 4000C with super macro. Our photo background is a simple white
piece of paper and our lighting consists of an Ott-lite and a fluorescent desk
lamp. We also use Paint Shop Pro to lighten, sharpen and so on.
Beading Times: Do
you have a website or auction site that you regularly sell you beads on?
If so, what is the url/id info, etc.
Jocelyn Pappadakis: Our site is located at www.jaychantell.com
and our Ebay ID is Jaychantell.
Beading Times: Do
you sell at shows or in stores or other venues? Do you sell the beads by themselves,
or already made up into jewelry?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: We
do not sell anywhere but online for the moment. And usually they're a strand
of beads by themselves. Well, we do add a sterling silver charm to the strand.
Otherwise, creativity is up to the buyer.
Beading Times: Where
do you see yourself going with lampworking/glassworking in the future? Or, where
do you see it taking you?
Jocelyn Pappadakis: As
long as I have my wits about me, where ever the glass flows.
Beading Times: Do you have a favorite bead, a "best bead." Can you share a photograph with us?
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.
Copyright 2005 Dwyn Tomlinson. Photos by and copyright by the interviewee, unless stated otherwise.
