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
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: Were
you interested in making beads before that?
Beading Times: Did
you take a class? |
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Beading Times: What
has surprised you most about working with glass?
Kirsty Naray: I
think that what surprises me most is that there is so much to learn. The more
you work with glass, the more you realize what you don't know. Every day is
a learning experience.
Beading Times: Have
you had anyone that you consider to be a mentor? Tell me about them.
Kirsty Naray: I
have a number of friends, both glass people and not, without whose encouragement
and support, I would never have succeeded. I think that I do need to mention
two very special people. Jean Robichaud and Peter Norton, from Nortel. (Editors
note: Nortel Manufacturing, maker of the Minor Burner®.) Their continued
support is very deeply appreciated.
Beading Times: Whose
beads inspire you the most?
Kirsty Naray: I
can't say that there is one person's beads that are most inspiring to me. I
have a small collection of beads from a few people, some well known, others
not so well. Each one to me is an inspiration. I know the thought and care and
joy that goes into making them.
Beading Times: Do
you sell your beads?
Kirsty Naray: Yes,
I do. I have a website and do a number of art shows each year.
Beading Times: Do
you make beads for friends?
Kirsty Naray: That
is one of my favorite things. I love to make a personalized bead as a present
for my friends.
Beading Times: What
does your family and friends think of your beadmaking?
Kirsty Naray: I
think that I have won them over. Everyone sees the pleasure I take in working
with glass. They are extremely supportive.
Beading Times: What
sort of set up do you have for making beads? (Type of torch, gas, kiln, etc.)
Kirsty Naray: I
have a GTT Lynx torch that I love and I've been using an oxygen concentrator
for the past two years. I also have two old ceramic kilns that get used on a
daily basis. A new, programmable kiln is on my "wish list."
Beading Times: Do
you have a favorite product, i.e. bead release, glass, etc.
Kirsty Naray: The
bead release that I prefer to use is Sludge Plus. Most of my beads are quite
large and complex and I find this brand reliable. Recently, I was given a sample
jar of Foster Fire to try and look forward to using that.
Beading Times: What
type of glass do you use?
Kirsty Naray: I
use Effetre almost exclusively. I have used some Czech and Lausha which I like
very much.
Beading Times: Do
you have a favorite technique?
Kirsty Naray: I
love making encased florals. I think that they're my specialty. I also love
doing sculptures. Fairies, mermaids, angels, teddy bears and bunnies. I love
making them all.
Beading Times: Do
you make sets?
Kirsty Naray: I
rarely make sets. If I'm making bracelets for shows, then I will, but it's not
my first choice of things to make.
Beading Times: Which
do you prefer to make, a pile of beads or a single perfect bead?
Kirsty Naray: I
definitely prefer a single perfect bead. I've never achieved what I consider
to be a perfect one but it's something that I strive for.
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.
Kirsty Naray: I
think that people know me best for my floral beads. My first florals were single
petals. Then, as I was studying enamels, I realized that more than one color
transparent was used to achieve depth. I started experimenting with adding layers
of colous. I'm still trying to expand on this technique.
Beading Times: The
teddy bears are adorable. Is there a story to them?
Kirsty Naray:
The teddy bears are a complete joy! I've been making and collecting plush Teds
for many years. I even designed one as well, but when I was bitten by the "glass
bug," they just got shelved for a while. I've always loved them and was
approached by a friend who is also a collector about making her one. Since that
first one, I've gone on to make dozens more - all kinds, large, small, dressed
and undressed. I also do many teddy bear shows around Ontario which I enjoy
very much.
Beading Times: What
was your biggest obstacle to overcome?
Kirsty Naray: When
I look back to when I first started, I can't believe how far I've come. There
was nothing available in Canada. No supplies, no books, no instructions of any
kind. If I hadn't been so stubborn, and if I hadn't met Jean and Peter from
Nortel, I would have given up. I just wanted to make beads so badly that I was
determined not to let it beat me.
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Beading Times: What
is the hardest kind of bead to make for you? Kirsty Naray: The hardest bead for me is my "signature" large, encased floral. Some of those beads can have up to nine layers of glass. As much as I love making them, they are very difficult. I'm afraid that I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I'm very critical of myself. |
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Beading Times: The
easiest?
Kirsty Naray: The
easiest beads for me are the ones that I use in my bracelets, variations of
the "dot" theme.
Beading Times:
How have your beads changed? Since you started or over the years?
Kirsty Naray: My
beads are getting more detailed. When I first started, I was satisfied with
just being able to produce a simple bead that resembled what I envisioned. Now,
I strive to produce very complex structures.
My "limited edition" pieces may have four or five different bead elements
incorporated into a single piece.
Beading Times: Do
you still have the first beads you made? What do you think of them now?
Kirsty Naray: I
do still have my first beads. I remember thinking at the time, how incredibly
fantastic sculpting with molten glass was. Although the beads themselves were
awful, it seemed that this was something that I was meant to do and they are
a reminder of how far I've come and that I didn't give up on myself.
Beading Times: What
was your scariest beadmaking experience?
Kirsty Naray: You'll
laugh, but the scariest experience was when I turned on my first oxy-propane
torch. I was so afraid that I'd forgotten something important and that I'd blow
up the house. I think that my husband did too. (tee hee)
Beading Times: Have
you had any "glass epiphanies" while working - some revelation or
understanding? What were they?
Kirsty Naray: I
think that happens to everyone in time. I know that after endless hours of trying
to learn encasing, I suddenly "got it." I didn't have anyone to show
me how it was done and I just couldn't get the hang of it. I kept smearing all
my flowers that I had worked so hard on. Then I realized that it was about being
able to read the heat in the glass. After that, I got better. I won't say that
it is easy even now because I still smear my flowers from time to time, but
that was a revelation.
Beading Times: Do
you have a technique or method or tip to share?
Kirsty Naray: I
have a tip on cleaning out bead holes. I use my Dremel to ream out the holes,
and then I put the beads into a small bowl and pour Diet Coke over them and
let them sit for a while. Silly, but it works.
Beading Times: Have
you "invented" any new tools, or recycled something that wouldn't
ordinarily be thought of as a tool for lampworking?
Kirsty Naray: I
picked up a small flat tool from the flea market for a dollar. It's used by
stamp collectors to lift stamps so that the heat from their hands doesn't dampen
the adhesive on the back of the stamp. It makes a terrific little shaper and
mini-marver.
Beading Times: What
about photographing your beads - what do you use to get your pictures?
Kirsty Naray: I
have a terrific scanner at the moment, but will have purchased a digital camera
by the time you read this.
Beading Times: Do
you have a website or auction site that you regularly sell you beads on?
Kirsty Naray: I
have my own website, www.kirstynarayglassarts.com,
and I have listed and sold some beads on Ebay. I get around to doing that about
once a year.
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?
Kirsty Naray: Both.
I love to offer my beads chain-ready as well as producing finished pieces.
Beading Times: You've
also had a custom interchangeable bead mount designed. Can you tell us a little
about that and that process?
Kirsty Naray:
The interchangeable bead holder is a co-operative effort between myself and my
friend, Sandra Correia Martin, who is a goldsmith/designer. I had the idea that
I wanted to make a holder that was "mine." Something that would complement
the design of my beads. I approached Sandra with a basic design and she was
able to take that concept and vastly improve on it and turn the idea into a
beautiful piece. I'm very proud of her. She's a wonderful jewelry designer
and deserves all the credit for bringing this project into reality. There is
a lot of work to this piece. A lot of finishing involved which I want to do
myself but up until now, Sandra has been doing. We are currently working on
another holder, that will hold the bead vertically. Hopefully, it should be
ready some time this year.
Beading Times: Do
you still make the Kaleidoscopes?
Kirsty Naray: I
do still make kaleidoscopes. They are complex structures that require a lot
of designing so I'm not able to make as many as I'd like. Hopefully, this summer,
I will have some for the art shows that I'll be doing.
Beading Times: Where
do you see yourself going with lampworking/glassworking in the future? Or, where
do you see it taking you?
Kirsty Naray: I
love teaching. I seem to have been asked to teach quite often lately. I'd love
to travel and teach. That would be a dream.
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Beading Times: Do
you have a favorite bead, a "best bead." Can you share a photograph
with us? Kirsty Naray: I have a brand new "Limited Edition 2004." Her name is Lisa Bunny in honor of our eldest daughter. Next year, hopefully, I'll make a limited edition for our younger daughter, Marianne. |
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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.
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.