Member Interrogations - Rachel Bishop

 Today's interview is with Rachel Bishop from Puffafish Lampwork. Keep reading to find out what inspires her, how she discovered glass, and why she'd like to spend some time in an old-fashioned police box....



1 - Your name: Rachel Bishop

2 - Your shop name and address: Puffafish Lampwork,  www.etsy.com/shop/puffafish

3 - Describe your artistic style in three words: bright, dotty, fun

4 - When did you first start working with glass and how did you get started?

I started working with glass in 2005, dabbling with fusing and making dichroic pendants in my little sc2 kiln.  During the Easter holidays 2007 I took a lesson with the fabulous Manda Muddimer and have been torching ever since, though not as much as I would like.


5 - What do you love most about your craft?

I love the mystery of the glass, the hope that you are filled with when the bead is placed in the kiln and the total joy you have when something you think is going to turn out pants is an absolute treasurewhen it comes out of the kiln. I also love the community that has formed around the shared love of glass and the willingness to share tips, glass recipes and the friends made.


 6 - If you could take a class with any artist (in your field or otherwise) who would you choose and why?

I was lucky enough to take a class with Carla di Francesca last year at Manda`s that gave me new found confidence in my own skills.  I would love to take a class with Lorna Prime, Laura Sparling and Mindy MacGregor to learn how to master their stringer precision.


7 - Do you have a favourite piece of your work that you can share with us?

These Souk beads are my favourite beads I have made simply because I had such a strong idea of what I wanted to make and they turned out perfectly matching my idea.





8 - Where do you find your inspiration?


My inspiration comes from all around me, I have the moody Bodmin Moor and Rough Tor to one side of me and the stunning but dramatic North Cornish coast on the other.  The weather, fabrics and even my mood on the day influences what I make.


9 - What’s your favourite technique within your medium?

My favourite technique is nothing really special but I really do working with glass that reacts with other glass and seeing the defined lines and marking formed through using them.


10 - Where do you create your work?

I have slowly been improving my working area in my studio (a-hem, garage) and now have a nice big space to work in giving my daughter an excuse to come out and melt glass too.


11 - Do you have a favourite colour scheme or range when you’re creating pieces?

I do tend to unintentionally lean towards using blues and greens when torching - it`s the pull of the sea!


12 - Can you give us a quotation/lyric/piece of advice that sums up your approach to life and your craft?

I find that if I think too hard about what I`m doing it usually goes wrong, so just go with the flow.


13 - The most serious question of all: if you could meet any fictional character, from TV film or literature, who would it be and why?

I would love to meet Dr Who and be his companion for a short while and go time travelling!


14 - Finally, what are your plans or hopes for your work in the future?

I just want to keep on making beads and take some more classes with some great teachers.  My goal for next year is to make it to the Flame Off too as I haven`t been yet.


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Thanks Rachel for a fab interview! 

Treasury round up 1/4/2012

You can find beautiful beads, glass and more made by the talented members of FHFteam HERE

Member News Round-up: March

 Member Round-up - March

Here a look at what our members have been up to in March:





Lotti Rains of Glass Beads by Lotti
 has several projects lined up! First, you can see her sea-and-surf-inspired jewellery designs now in stock at Zuma Jay's Surf Shop (I'd insert some surfer-lingo here, but I just don't think I can pull it off!). Meanwhile, her handmade lampwork beads are available for purchase at bead shop The Bead Cellar
 .
 Then if you're in the Hatherleigh area, you can see Lotti at these long-running markets, Ruby Country Market, and In the Pen.

Finally, Lotti's pieces can now be seen at the West Gallery.
 

Treasury round up 25/3/2012

You can find beautiful beads, glass and more made by the talented members of FHFteam HERE

Member Interrogations - Jane Crosby

Today we have a 'dangerous' interviewee...Jane of Dangerous Beads! Grab a cuppa and have a 
 read of Jane's glass philosophy (and sense of humour!)




1 - Your name: Jane Crosby aka Dangerous Beads

2 - Your shop name and address:  www.dangerousbeads.etsy.com

3 - Describe your artistic style in three words:  Messy. Random. Sporadic.

4 - When did you first start working with glass and how did you get started? 

I can't remember when I first started but it's been a few years. I should be a bit better at it by now really, but I'm quite happy to plod away at my own pace. I was inspired to make beads when a dear friend gave me a beaded charm bracelet, it was so sweet and simple, each bead was different. A few of the beads fell off and I replaced them with any random bead I could find. I loved that bracelet so much that I decided to make some myself and started buying stuff at car boot sales and charity shops if I found something with just one bead on that I wanted. Then I found and bought commercial beads on the web, until one day I couldn't find this one really simple style bead in particular, it had been discontinued. I thought, hmm, how difficult can it be to make? Googled it and Hey Presto! Bought the basic kit and discovered the joy of lampwork.

5 - What do you love most about your craft?

It gives me what I think most of us crave, "Me time". I just love, and feel soothed by, watching glass melt, even if it doesn't end up as anything beautiful or useable, the satisfaction I get from doing it is usually enough.

 6 - If you could take a class with any artist (in your field or otherwise) who would you choose and why?

There are so many to choose from but after some consideration I think I'd like a class with Rachel Frudd. Her work with silver glass is fantastic. She was producing the most stunning, dreamlike beads after only a few months of lampworking. She's a very talented artist.

Or a banjo lesson with Jens Kruger, though I'd probably wet myself if that ever happened.

7 - Do you have a favourite piece of your work that you can share with us? 

These beads aren't particularly clever but I just squirm with pleasure at the colours everytime I see the photos.

8 - Where do you find your inspiration? 

 I pick three colours and hope.

9 - What’s your favourite technique within your medium? 

Gravity beads. I wish I was better at encasing though.

10 - Where do you create your work? 

 In the cellar or basement, luckily it's heated and dry.

11 - Do you have a favourite colour scheme or range when you’re creating pieces? 

 Organic colours float my boat. Particularly Stone Ground, Dirty Martini, Chalcedony and Iris Savanne. Oh and purple.

12 - Can you give us a quotation/lyric/piece of advice that sums up your approach to life and your craft? 

Can if I like. Will if I want.

13 - The most serious question of all: if you could meet any fictional character, from TV film or literature, who would it be and why?

Buzz Lightyear. He's  confident, optimistic, a strong Alpha male who sees no obstacle as too great, and he has a cute butt.

14 - Finally, what are your plans or hopes for your work in the future?

To infinity and beyond.

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Thanks Jane, for such a fun interview!

Monthly Giveaway - March

It's time for another monthly giveaway, and we're got another stunning prize sponsored by one of our members...

Jo of Beadtopia Studio!

Jo has offered this beautiful pair of handmade lampwork earrings to one of our lucky blog followers:

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is leave a comment anywhere on the blog during March and up until the 7th April (and don't forget to make sure you're following the FHFTeam blog too!)  The winner will be randomly drawn, and announced on the 8th of April.

Good luck!

February Giveaway Winner!

It's time to draw February's giveaway winner!

This month's giveaway was sponsored by one of our lovely team members, Jean Munro of Ceardannan Jewellery and Ceardannan

And the random number generator picked ....Madeline Bunyan! Congratulations! Jean will getting in tocuh with you shortly.

Here's your beautiful prize:

Don't forget to check back soon for the next giveaway (or subscribe to our feed to ensure you never miss a post!)