Beading Times: How long have you been making beads?

Lina Khan: I've been making lampwork beads for 6 years now.

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

I wanted to learn more about Murano glass beads. Searching the web I discovered on ebay all these wonderful lampwork beads. Before long I bought a beginner's equipment kit and started. No, I never took a class.

Were you interested in making beads before that?

I have loved glass since I was a child. It is so fascinating to see how glass captures light. I was collecting glass paperweights, marbles and any kind of beads I found in stores. But I didn’t know anything about lampworking before.

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

I started with watercolor. Later I became a web designer and one of my hobbies is photographing. I like popping colors and to catch moments. Glass is endless shapeable and therefore I stumbled upon an ideal new medium.

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

No, I gave my paintings away as presents to my friends.

What has surprised you most about working with glass?

First I was fascinated about the color reactions and how rapidly glass is flowing when molten. It was a gas to learn more about gravity and that glass wants to become a ball while spinning around a mandrel.

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

There are many people who helped me along the way, especially my family.

Whose beads inspire you the most?

My idols right from the start were Brad Pearson and Sarah Moran. They are designing such perfect geometrical beads. And I adore the feminine designs of Jill Symons and Kim Neely. Now I also like - for example - the fine stringer work by Dora Schubert or the stunning focal beads by Anastasia.

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

I have my own online shop for my beads and jewelry. I also sell lampwork on ebay.

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

In the beginning it was just a joyful hobby and I had a lot of fun giving my beads away as presents. My friends were encouraging me to sell them and even offered to give them exposure in their studios.

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

No, not so far.

Do you sell your beads in stores or other venues?

I'm an internet seller.

Do you have a website or auction site that you regularly sell you beads on? If so, what is the url/id info, etc.

http://www.LinaFire.com

http://shop.ebay.com/linakhan

What do your friends and family think of your beadmaking?

They like my work and they are proud of me.

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

I work with a german torch called Phoenix, butane gas, 5L-isioxy generator and a chili pepper kiln

What type of glass do you use?

Mostly I use Moretti and silver glass from DoubleHelixGlassworks. I also tried out other glass like Lauscha, Reichenbach and CiM. But Moretti offers all the colors that I'm looking for and does harmonize well with D-Helix.

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

Turquoise and light red / purple EDP and copper green / transparent ink blue or pastel light red as a base for silver glass Luna.

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

Where the Moretti glass meets, there are thin lines / Luna over ink blue turns light blue. Luna over pastel red turns pink.

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

Ekho from Double-Helixglassworks is my favorite silver glass for the moment. It is quite creamy and works perfectly for raised stringers. Bead release "Bucket-O-Mud" and the "4-piece Spatula Shaping Tools".

Do you have a favorite beadmaking book or piece of instructional material ?

I started lampworking with instructions by Corina Tettinger: "Passing the Flame" Book and "The Secret of Stringer Control" DVD. Her gorgeous book is still an inspiration for me.

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

I'm a "set" person. I love to make sets of similar designed beads.

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

TERESITA is one of my signature beads. It was developed by chance.
I was layering different orange and yellow stringers on a mustard base bead and created an emerald 6-dot pattern on both sides.

What was your biggest obstacle to overcome?

It was the Fire. I was quite afraid to inflame my tin-can heater for the first days.

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

The most difficult technique for me is a thinly encased bead. The easiest is a dotted bead.

What is your favorite kind of bead or technique?

I love to make Mandala wheels. Layering and decorating from the center has a meditative touch.

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

Yes, they dangle in my studio on the wall. Tasty potatoes!

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

My beads are definitely becoming bigger. The last years I have improved my technique of placing dots, stringer paintings, shaping without using presses and my focals became more filigran.

What was your scariest beadmaking experience?

When I burned my thumb last year. This reminded me to concentrate more while working.

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

Sometimes I try to make angels or penguins, but they turn out quite funny with wrong proportions, always good for a smile.

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

Let it flow, do not pressure too much, step on it !

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

Meet other lampworkers for experience, exchange and join shows to find good equipment that helps you to work relaxed.

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 listen to all kind of music while working for example disco, soul and ambient.

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

Do what you like to do and if a technique does not work at once be patient. Good things sometimes take time.

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

I have a gripper with a pull-spring from our flea market. Ideally applicable for clamping short glass rods.

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

Yes, here is a photo of my torches, my oxygen generator and my chili pepper kiln:

My first torch was a german Isiheat and from the same company I own an oxygen generator. Now I'm working with a Phoenix torch (on the left side), for bigger beads.

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

Normally I spend 20 hours a week on the torch.

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

I take my pictures outdoors in sunlight with a digital Casio camera. Later I editi the images with Photoshop.

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?

Usually it is a passion, especially when I'm kissed by my muse.

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

I have no special plans for the moment besides having fun making beads.

Do you have a favorite bead, a “best bead.” Can you share a photograph with us?

One of my favorite sets is HARÍA (the last picture on the right).