Bio-contacts

Bio and Contacts

The more lampworkers I meet, the more nurses I meet.... more often than not, it turns out to be a nurse behind the flame! No matter what kind of torch, there is something about that flame that is relaxing and soothing. As an Oncology nurse, the flame has become a respite after a busy and challenging day!

I learned lampworking from Lora Tessman, who used to have a bead shop in Highland, Indiana. I stopped in one day to scope out her beading supplies, and there I saw women making beads out of glass rods, and I was amazed. So I convinced Lora to teach a formal class, and the rest is history. Lora closed the shop 3 or so years ago, but before she did, she was the primary advisor to DH Steve, who then put together a bead studio for me in our basement. He also designed and built the bead rack / kiln cart that is such an integral part of my shop.

Since Lora, I have taken classes from Jari Sheese (Fuego Loco Beads, Indy), and learned so much from the many talented lampwork artists that post on Lampwork, Etc. I plan to take Lisa Atchinson's class in May 2010. My virtual teacher has been Corina Tettinger, such a valuable resource through her books and DVD's.

I live in Griffith, Indiana with my dear husband (DH) Steve, our two dogs (Bea and Shadow), and eight birds. We have 2 grown daughters, Kara (Ryan) and Katie (Rob), and 2 delightful grandchildren, Jakob (8) and Thea (1 1/2). The grands love playing in the bead bowl, and Jakob has designed several bracelets for his mom to wear from treasures he found there. Thea, of course, is supervised during her playtime.... she prefers to sort beads from one container to another (over and over).

CONTACTS

Sue Wade (The Artisan's Workshop) Griffith, Indiana

Darby Graham (Darbeads Studio) Griffith, Indiana

Frantz Art Glass (favorite supplier of glass rods and necessities)

FlameKissed Glass (best supplier of Reichenbach glass)

ABR Imagery, Bloomington, In (glass, glass and more)

Double Helix Glass (they make my favorite silver glass, Ecko)

Flame Dame Glass (everything for lampworkers, and more)

INM Crystal (sterling findings)

Robin Koza (Glass Diversions) (frit and more)

Jari Sheese (Fuego Loco Beads, Indy)

PurpleLilly Designs (Shards and those wire bails I use on my pendants)