Colorful, smooth and shiny items made out of glass have always captured my attention. Now, that I have the ability to work with hot, molten glass, and combine beautiful colors into my own small creations, the fascination has developed into obsession. Lampworked glass beads are made by melting the end of a glass rod in a torch and winding the molten glass around a wire called a mandrel. The basic bead can, then, be decorated with numerous techniques, ranging from the simple to extremely complicated. When glass is hot and glowing in the torch, it is a completely different color from what it ends up to be when cool. So, the end result of my work is not always what I envision while I am decorating the hot bead. Sometimes, it is a pleasant surprise and sometimes, it is NOT, but it is always an interesting challenge, and I love it.

I took my first beadmaking class in October of 1998, and since then have sharpened my torch skills by taking classes from renowned bead artists Patty Walton, Jim Smirich, Kate Fowle and Sage and Tom Holland. In 2002, I became a juried member of both The Best of Missouri Hands organization, and The Greater St. Louis Art Association. In addition to co-chairing the scholarship program for the Greater St. Louis Art Association, I am corresponding secretary and treasurer of the St. Louis Lampworkers Society, and a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers.

Using techniques I have learned in glass fusing and metal working classes, I am adding new dimensions to my jewelry designs. The Painted Daisy in Eureka, Missouri, the Bluestem in Columbia, Missouri and River's Bend in Parkville, Missouri are galleries that presently carry my work. You can also find my jewelry in the numerous art shows I participate in throughout the year.

Contact information:
(636) 978-1790
gail@strandedglass.com