favorite links
My favorite spots...
Moon Ko Photography
...this is my best friend Moon. I simply adore her. :) She's also the finest photographer I know, and if you're local, definitely give her a call. (oh, and please do not wear white in your photos. they never look good, even if YOU think they do, they don't. oh, and no khaki and no denim. boo! go with color. Color is always the best choice.)
My favorite lampworkers...
Bead Goodies
...my dearest and most wonderful friend, Candy and I have been "beady buds" for about nine years I guess. This is where I purchase most of my frit and some amazing beads too.
Art With Heart
...this is Candy's sister Catherine (aka: Kitty). I love her style and I know you will too.
AMR GlassWorks
...my sweet friend, Anne and I have been friends since the beginning. Her work is stunning.
Krissy Beads
...beady friend, Krissy does the sweetest little beads. Currently, Krissy is taking a break from beads since she's moving so you can just look at her gallery until she's back in action. :)
Val Cox Frit
...Val creates some of the finest frit around. I have almost every kind she makes.
Moonraker Lampwork
...another beady friend, Melanie makes gorgeous beads! You will love her work.
Laurie Geller Lampwork
...sometimes folks think I am this designer and since I think her work is exceptional, I thought it necessary to add her to my links page so that everyone would know we are not the same person. :)
My favorite bead sites...
On my studio table...
The wire I use is Soft Flex or Soft Touch, depending on what's on sale, they are both the finest wires on the market. I only use 49 Strand .024 for everything.
For melting glass I use it all (because I love it so), but CIM and Aurea are my favorites.
I use Copper and Brass, but it will be noted when I do, because mainly I only use Sterling silver for all my work. Recently I have an entire section devoted to Vintaj Brass jewelry. It's lovely.
My tools are made by Lindstrom, and purchased at Connie Fox. Do not waste your money on cheap tools, you will end up with cheap jewelry and you don't want that. Buy the best and they will last a long time.
The gauge for earrings should be 20 or 22 gauge, depending on the weight of the earring itself will determine the thickness of the wire you need to use.
Link bracelets are made with 18 gauge sterling wire.
My tags are handmade by me and are 24 gauge in thickness.
My jumprings are 16 and 18 gauge.
I am a self-taught glass lampwork artist. I have never taken ANY formal classes nor had any extra classes from other lampworkers. That's not to say I wouldn't LOVE it, I've just never had the opportunity. :)
The have two torches...a NORTEL MINOR BURNER and a CARLISLE MINI CC
MY Kiln is a CHILIPEPPER digitally controlled kiln.
I also have a Paragon kiln for firing silver and other metals.
The best place to buy glass is www.arrowsprings.com
About my website:
For many years I have received emails, asking me about my website...who designed it and such. My GALLERY site was built and hosted by me...that site is a gallery of past work only. My SHOPPE site is operated by ShoppePro. The graphics for my site were created by me, but the framework was designed by Boutiquemama. You can find both of these links at the right hand corner of my website. Feel free to contact either of them if you are in the market for a website. They are easy and reliable with very reasonable prices.
If you have a question that I don't have listed, it's probably because it's a secret. :) lol But you can ask if you'd like! I might be willing to share my deepest secrets...like Spongebob asking Patrick what's in his special box! (a piece of string and a picture from a christmas party LOL!!!) If you have glass questions, pop me an email. Glass is NOT difficult. It just takes PRACTICE. That's it! If you're willing to practice a LOT then you're going to be a great glass artist.
