Archived Featured Bead Artists
Ania Karolina Kyte,
Amy Waldman Engel,
Barrie Edwards,
Jodi Lindsey,
Rebecca Voris
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? |
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Beading Times: Whose
beads inspire you the most?
Karen Elmquist: There are soooo many talented beadmakers out there!
It's really hard for a new beadmaker to not copy, I don't want to copy anyone's
style, though I may try a private copy to see if I can reproduce the technique.
In terms of delight and wonder, I admire the work of Jinx Garza, Lezlie Belanger,
Carolyn Driver (the first lampwork bead I bought was one of hers), Pati Walton
and Corina Tettinger
Beading Times: Do
you sell your beads?
Karen Elmquist: Yes, I've just started to recently
Beading Times: Do
you make beads for friends?
Karen Elmquist: ALL the time, I'm sure they are getting sick of
them!
Beading Times: What
does your spouse/children/family/friends think of your beadmaking?
Karen Elmquist: They approve, they are accustomed to my enthusiasms!
Beading Times: What
sort of set up do you have for making beads? (Type of torch, gas, kiln,
etc.)
Karen Elmquist: I have a small set-up in the garage of our cottage,
which is safe and quite comfy (if a bit cold in winter!) but unfortunately means
I can only make beads on weekends. I have a Nortel Minor torch, a Paragon digital
kiln and am currently using oxy and propane tanks, but would like a oxy concentrator
this year. I bought a table for $10 at a yard sale and covered the top with
sheet metal from Home Depot (using duct tape, yay!). Chair was $2.00 at a yard
sale. My kiln sits on a vintage typists table ($10 at an auction) which has
wheels and can be moved. I bought pvc tubing and cut it into 12" lengths,
they are stacked horizontally in a small shelving unit to hold my glass. And
I bought tin watchmakers cases from Lee Valley for my frit and enamels...they
work great as they have glass tops and they were cheap too! You can set up a
perfectly usable studio without spending a lot of money, which can then be spent
on lots of yummy dichroic glass!
Beading Times: Do
you have a favorite product, i.e. bead release, glass, etc.
Karen Elmquist: I've just started using the Sludge Plus bead release
and wow, that's good stuff! I really love the opalino and alabastro glasses,
the colors are so dreamy though they are *touchy* to wok with (sometimes there
is cussing) And Dichroic glass fascinates me, I have to avoid using it in every
bead!.
Beading Times: What
type of glass do you use?
Karen Elmquist: Only Moretti so far
Beading Times: Do
you have a favorite technique?
Karen Elmquist: I am really fond of working with silvered ivory
stringer...the wonderfully spontaneous organic effects it creates are great.
And I love making hollow vessels!
Beading Times: Do
you make sets?
Karen Elmquist: Sometimes, but not often
Beading Times: Which
do you prefer to make, a pile of beads or a single perfect bead?
Karen Elmquist: BOTH!
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.
Karen Elmquist: I love making long (2 1/2" or more) SKINNY
focal beads. Don't know if they are unique to me (probably not as there is very
little new under the sun!) but they are intiguing and customers seem to like
them. They are more wearable than a huge focal, yet still have lots of room
for surface interest.
Beading Times: What
was your biggest obstacle to overcome?
Karen Elmquist: Still working on stringer control. And good encasing
without smearing or bubbles. And I STILL cannot make good (or even adequate)
vessel handles with glass. Practice, practice, practice!
eading Times: What
is the hardest kind of bead to make for you?
Karen Elmquist: Perfectly round beads
Beading Times: The
easiest?
Karen Elmquist: Long skinnny ones
Beading Times: What
is your favorite kind of bead or technique?
Karen Elmquist: Hollows are so fun! And I like making flowers.
Beading Times: How
have your beads changed? Since you started or over the years?
Karen Elmquist: Heavens, I hope they are getting better!
Beading Times: Do
you still have the first beads you made? What do you think of them now?
Karen Elmquist: I still have them. They are pathetic little lumps
o' glass, I was embarassingly proud of them
Beading Times: What
was your scariest beadmaking experience?
Karen Elmquist: Having a good sized molten lump of aventurine
filigrana stuck to my arm...I still have the scar and I will never use THAT
stuff again
Beading Times: Do
you have a technique or method or tip to share?
Karen Elmquist: Make your OWN aventurine stringer!
Beading Times: Could
you share with us some pictures of your studio set up?
Karen Elmquist: Sure!
Beading Times: Your
photos are particularly clear and sharp. What do you use to get your pictures?
Karen Elmquist: Because I sell full time on Ebay (antique linens,
lace, textiles, vintage clothing and jewelry) I have a Canon G2 digital camera
which does nice close-ups because of the digital zoom. Whenever I can I take
the pictures outside as I think the natural light is the very best. Sometimes
I go right down to the beach with a bag of beads and take the pictures there!
At home, I use rice as a background, it works well and doesn't bounce back any
reflections. And it lets you prop the bead at any angle. I don't use any special
lighting, but the camera is a good one so that helps!
Beading Times: Do
you have a website or auction site that you regularly sell you beads on?
Karen Elmquist: Ebay,
under the user ID miss-spider
Just
beads.com under the user ID miss-spider
and in my little Ruby Lane shop "Out
of the Past" — I also sell my collage jewelry there, using vintage
and new elements
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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.
