Q. Do you teach or demo?

A. This is the question I am asked more than any other - and no, I don't teach. I like to make the beads, and that's it. Teaching is something that I don't want to get into at this time. I don't like an audience, so demos aren't my thing either. If I ever grow a wild hair and decide to teach, I will announce it. As I was talking with a friend one day, I was finally able to firmly grasp the most significant reason why I don't want to teach. She was telling me how she had to teach herself hands-on in her own field (much like I did, but for different reasons), and ended up becoming very good at what she did. But she wasn't sure exactly HOW she did what she did, as elegantly as she did it. People would come to her fresh out of school, hoping she would share her methods, but she never knew exactly what to tell them. It's hard to know if her methods would have worked as well for them as they did for her. I feel very much the same way. I don't know how I do many of the things I do. I just do them. Intuition plays a big part in it. So does common sense, serendipity and hoping for something good. I can't, in good conscience, ask someone to pay me the going rate for a lampwork class and be told "I don't know how or why, that's just the way I do it." Or better yet, "Just eyeball it." Does that seem fair to you? I didn't think so, particularly since I've just told you everything I rely on in my own methods, and for free.

Q. Do you sell at shows?

A. No, I prefer online sales. It's a much better fit for me. And the reason it is a better fit for me is that I like to be at home. I keep weird hours, which isn't conducive to traveling and getting up at the crack of dawn and messing with show stuff. Just like many of you who do shows regularly have your groove down like magic, I have my templates, photos, presentation, site maintenance and all the other blah-biddy-blah down to a science. It's efficient, it's comfortable and it runs smoothly. Mainly because I am ultimately responsible for everything that happens, or doesn't happen. I don't have to worry about show promoters advertising the show effectively, I don't have to worry if there will be a table or enough electricity or a bathroom close by... (and this is also the reason I have never really enjoyed camping, either.) I don't have to worry much about theft, and theft is something that truly outrages me... like, I'm still chapped at whoever stole (3) 12 packs of soft drinks - at our FAMILY REUNION, of all places. (Whoever you are, if you're reading this, I would have GIVEN them to you if you had asked - there is no way I would be able to drink that many soft drinks in my lifetime.) Imagine how upset I would be if someone stole my art. But any time I hear that my beads get stolen from the people I gifted or sold them to, I immediately put a hex on them, and I have no reservations about putting hexes on soft drinks, either. So there. Another good reason is that my reading and writing skills are much better than my face-to-face interpersonal skills. I like to talk about those particular beads once, and then I'm ready to talk about some other beads. I'm quiet and shy around people I don't know, and big crowds of people make me nervous. When I'm feeling crabby, I don't hide it very well, and I have a somewhat stern and crusty exterior even when I'm in the best of moods. The nice thing about web sales is that I can wait to respond to inquiries and other things when I'm in a better mood.

Q. Is your studio open to the public? Can I come by and see what you have in stock?

A. Sorry, no, my work space is not open to the public. I don't keep things in stock, most of what I make is made to order or reserved specifically for website or ebay sales.

Q. What is your secret to running such a successful web-based bead business?

A. There isn't really any secret to it. I would compare my beginnings to feeling my way around a cluttered, unfamiliar room lit with a 15 watt bulb over in the corner. In other words, I had no business training or education, only a foggy idea... I just did (and still do) what feels right. I simply use the "do unto others" code when it comes to running a business. I make myself as available as possible to answer emails from customers, I pay attention to quality, and I ship quickly. I make sure I stay in touch and have something for sale at all times, whether it's on ebay or here on my website. It's pretty easy and runs pretty smoothly, because I've had several years of practice. However, if I were just starting out today, I would be thrilled and relieved to find the Beadnerd Blog. Lori Greenberg (aka beadnerd) has written several helpful articles on running a bead business. The articles are well-written and to the point and she covers just about everything from good photos to good customer relations. Go check it out!

Q. What torch do you recommend?

A. The only torches I have ever used are the Hot Head, the Nortel Minor and the GTT Lynx. The Hot Head is great for getting started and for those who cannot afford an oxygen/gas apparatus, or those whose space will not allow it. I love the Minor burner for soft glass, and the Lynx for borosilicate glass.


Q. Where do you buy your glass?

A. I like Frantz Art Glass for larger glass orders and other tools, they have excellent volume discounts. For smaller orders I like Sungirl/Deonne Lindley and Moretti and More. Plus, they ship Priority, and that's always nice.


Q. What kiln do you recommend?

A. I have the Paragon EZ Beader. It is a small kiln, so it's not suitable for production work. I recommend any kiln that is completely or partially insulated with firebrick, and comes with a digital controller. I also use a large firebrick fusing kiln for batch annealing my borosilicate beads. I prefer batch annealing for borosilicate so I have more control over the strike.


Q. What bead release do you use?

A. I like Alices Bead Release for both borosilicate and soda lime glass. Never heat it in the flame, let it cool and reheat again, or your release will start cracking and flaking off when you wind your glass on. Use distilled water for mixing your release, this will significantly cut down on the nasties that happen with regular tap water that sits for months. When you are removing your beads from the mandrels or cleaning out the holes, always use water. This will eliminate the dust.

Q. How do you make your (insert design here)? I want to make some.

A. I am self taught, and as a result, I am a strong believer in figuring things out for yourself. Nobody taught me how to make my designs, and I have spent many years practicing the basics and perfecting what I dreamed up. Transferring imagined things into tangible things made of glass takes hard earned skill and a little innovation. I suggest practice and focus, and eventually, you will be able to create what's in your own imagination.

Q. I'm just starting out. What colors should I buy?

A. Whether it's soda lime or borosilicate, get a sample pack. The colors I like and work well for me may not be the same for you. Don't deny yourself the opportunity to explore all of the colors.

Q. What bead making books do you recommend?

A. The only books I've read are Making Glass Beads by Cindy Jenkins and Contemporary Lampworking by Dunham. I highly recommend both, Making Glass Beads for basic beadmaking technique and info, and Contemporary Lampworking for more in-depth technical info for beads and other glass.

Q. Any advice or tips?

A. Well, that's a vague question. But the one piece of advice I give, whether it's solicited or not, is this: Do not buy the "economy" size regulators from the glass suppliers. These usually run about $70. These gave me a lot of grief - either they didn't work from the get-go, or they crapped out within a few hours. I kid you not. I returned two sets of these, and couldn't work in the interim. The first oxygen one totally busted from the tank pressure, I guess. The replacement they sent me didn't work right out of the box. The propane one was a 0-100, which, in a range that high, it would only put out the correct setting at 30psi or higher. The replacement for that one was no better. We don't need that high of an output, maybe 5 at the most for the smaller bead burners. At that low of a setting on a 0-100, your flame will breathe and surge because it can't keep consistent pressure. Then they tried to sell me two stage regulators to help with this "problem" (same economy size, mind you) for $200 EACH. No way, don't go for that either. From the start, my dad wondered at the size of these little gauges and parts - very small compared to most regulators on the market. In the end, Dad was kind enough to give me his (normal sized) oxygen reg from his welding apparatus. I'm still using it today, and it hasn't given me a single problem, besides the diaphragm needing to be replaced a few months ago, due to brass bits stuck in it.  Still not a big deal for something I use several hours each day. It cost a negligible amount of $$ and it took about 10 minutes for the guys at the welding shop to replace it. Same with the propane reg, no problems, it was technically an acetylene reg (because it came with the welding apparatus, obviously) and has an output range of 0-30, with 15-30psi being in the red zone - so as a result what it puts out correctly corresponds to what you set it at, which is 5 or below, generally. My brand is Victor Fire Power.

But here is the thing - if you want regulators like these, plan on spending at least $110 for each one. However, you can buy an entire welding apparatus for about $160, but obviously, you won't use the torch or the hoses. You will need to buy a T rated hose to use with propane, if you use the rated R hose that comes with the acetylene app, the hose will rot very quickly. You can get the hose you need from the glass supplier. Don't even try the welding supplier, because most of them don't have them in stock, and don't want to order as many as they would need to just to sell you the one. Basically, get your entire apparatus except for the regulators at the glass supplier. I know you will get a "kit discount" if you buy the entire thing from the glass supplier, but that discount doesn't help much when you can't use your equipment.

Q. I live in the OKC area, and want to use tanked oxygen. Where would you recommend I go?

A. I like Hooper Welding Supply. Look them up in the phone book. They are a family owned business, and their prices are good, they deliver to you wherever you are, and the delivery fee is half of what the big guys charge. Plus, they are female friendly - by that I mean they will treat you like a human being. Tell them I sent you.

Q. Why aren't you a member of any glass, bead or art societies?

A. I have huge respect for the glass art societies, including and particularly the ISGB. Thing is, I have this weird objection to belonging to any type of society, coalition or club and paying dues and having to get off my ass and go outside and do my memberly duties when I would rather be doing something else. All of my parents feel this way as artists and as people who have had association with art or other societies and clubs in some way or another since they were young adults, and they passed it on to me. Maybe that's selfish of us, and we can live with that, but it doesn't mean we aren't productive. It simply means that we choose to spend our money on basic needs and tangible supplies rather than on a membership... and that we are just free-spirited recluses who prefer to spend our free time in the comfort of our homes, doing what we enjoy most - creating. This expression of my own unsociable mindset is not meant to imply that you shouldn't be a member of any of the glass or bead societies, and definitely not to imply that I think anyone who is must be some poor slob. It works well for and benefits many people, and if you enjoy it, that's great and you have my respect.

(me) Q. Aren't you glad you asked any and all of these questions?

________________________________________________________________________________

If you have a question that I haven't answered here, please check out Lampwork Etc for further technical information. You don't need to be a registered member to read and search the Technical forum.

You can also check out the Wet Canvas glass art forum and the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers) forum as well.

I will add more things to this page as I think of them. Thanks for reading!