A Bead of a Different Breed

My journey into making beads actually began ten years before I ever picked up my first glass rod. My medium then was Polymer Clay. My style evolved over the years and I eventually began creating sketched beads. My favorite subject matter, of course, was cats.

I shaped and baked the bead and then hand sketched very detailed portraits of kitties. The bead was then sealed under a layer of liquid polymer, baked again and finished with a protective coating. I did the sketching under extreme magnification using an opti-visor. Sadly, after several years, I had to give this art form up due to terrible headaches and rapidly failing vision. I enjoyed it while it lasted, and while I do miss making kitty beads, I have all the photos to look back on and smile. I did manage to keep a few for myself, but the following photos are beads that I sold.

Color Study

I am completely in the zone when I make these beads. These are my comfort beads. I could make them all day long, every day, and never tire of making them. They are created with black and crystal clear, along with a variety of color shifting glass. In this set I used Original Terra, Raku, Multicolor Dark and Chalcedony. Each glass has it's own color range that's just a little bit different from the next, and when used all together in a set guarantee maximum color punch. Oh, how I love color shifting glass...let me count the ways. (You can click the photo for a closer view.)

Reincarnation

In my next life, I want to come back as a cat,

because I long to be comfortable

in any old awkward position.