Sapphire ogranics

All About Me

I am a glass artist and mother of 3 active boys. A couple of years ago my youngest son went to school full time. I decided this was a good point in my life to make a change and create a business. I wasn't sure exactly what direction I was going to head but I did know I wanted to do something related to the arts. I had been creating jewelry for a couple years and  had always been intrigued by the making of glass beads, otherwise known as lampworking. I decided this was a good time to take a class. So I searched out where I could learn this ancient craft. I found the Worcester Center for Crafts and a fabulous instructor, Liliana Glenn. I learned so much from Liliana and quickly knew that I had to set up a studio at my home. In short order my husband helped me to set up shop and thus my business began.

I have been surrounded by the arts all my life. My family is a creative family. I have been exposed to the making of wool rugs, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, drawing, painting, ceramics, the making of stained glass, and woodworking. Currently I am pursuing lampworking.

All about Lampworking

(a condensed version of the history)

Lampworking is an ancient art which years ago involved using an oil fired lamp to melt glass and create various objects of art. Today most artists use a fuel source (ie propane) and oxygen to create a flame hot enough to melt glass rods. There a couple of places in the world well know for the skills of their lampworkers. Lauscha, Germany and the island of Murano Italy.

A recent tidbit I learned is that the lampworkers on the island of Murano were not allowed to leave the island. If they did leave their hands were cut off so they could not teach their highly secretive skills to "outsiders". This little fact I found very interesting because today there does exist a mystic around many lampworkers who are not willing to share their knowledge and skills. Now I can see how this secretiveness came to be. That is not to say that all lampworkers are this way. In fact there are many communities of lampworkers that are more than willing to share, of which I hope I am considered one.

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