AOTM April 2007 - Sally Carver

[Isabelle]

The Featured Artist for April is:

I first became interested in beadmaking after accidentally coming across Cindy Jenkin's book "Making Glass Beads". I'd seen artisan glass beads and marbles before on a trip to Canada but never realised that it was possible to make such little treasures without lots of glass making paraphenalia. I had previously worked in stained glass but hot glass has a special allure of its own and I was immediately hooked - as many people are. I managed to gather together enough beginner's kit to make my first beads - using a plumber's torch and propane. The colours of the glass were awful because there wasn't enough oxygen in the gas mix but I couldn't care less. I started off on a hothead and later progressed to a Minor burner.

I used to be a holographer before beadmaking became my full time job. I found that glass beadmaking has many of the interesting qualites and disciplines that I enjoyed from my time as a holographer. For a start one can create an "illusion" within the bead of things floating - flowers - air bubbles, anything you like. It is possible to create an entire little world within those little spheres, which I enjoy very much. I'd always been pretty obsessed with glass paperweights and always wondered "how they got the stuff in there!

Another aspect of holography is the strong spectral colours within a hologram. I tend to be known for my brightly coloured beads - once again I think my colour sense has been slightly influenced! I do try to make "more grown-up" organic looking beads but there are many beautiful glass colours available it often seems a shame not to use them.

I'm mostly self-taught but I have had the privilige of taking classes from Diana East and Loren Stump, both are fabulous teachers and wonderful glass artists.
My signature beads tend to be brightly coloured and slightly quirky, but I am also very proud of my signature focals - Calla Lilies, Flower Power beads and my focal hearts.

I mostly sell loose beads either via my website, often on Ebay and locally. I also attend bead fairs. I am happy to make custom work or bead "specials" which are available on first come first served basis from my website.I have been attending a silver smithing course and will be making more high quality silver and glass jewellery in the future. I also teach people beadmaking in my studio in Leicestershire.

My plans for the future? Just to carry on - I feel so priviliged and lucky to be doing something I love for a living. I hope to continue with the beads for as long as possible.

Web links:
http://www.lampworkbeads.co.uk
http://www.redhotsal.co.uk

I also run British Lampwork
http://www.britishlampwork.co.uk

MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/redhotsal