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Hi! My name’s Larissa Spafford. I have always loved color, and making
things. Especially jewelry! Since 1998 I have been combining my love of
color, glass and jewelry by making lampwork glass beads. Each of my beads is
made one at a time with love, care and attention to detail. I strive to make each one to the best of my
abilities and truly pour myself into each one. I use only high quality components.. My
beads are kiln annealed in a. computer controlled kiln. My home and studio
run on 100% sustainable green power.
My boxes and tags are made from recycled paper and I use tissue paper
made from sustainably harvested paper. Over the years I have learned from books,
through trial and error and from the glass itself. I have also learned from
taking workshops with three exceptionally talented bead makers: Andrea
Guarino-Slemmons, Michael Barley and Jennifer Geldard, . Bright colors,
nature and joy are my main inspirations. My
work can be found at the PT Farmers Market, local craft fairs, ebay, and here on my website. I am so grateful that I discovered bead
making and am able to persue my passion.
I hope people enjoy my creations as much as I enjoyed making them!
Numerous people have said my beads make them smile, to me that is the
ultimate compliment! Thanks for your
intrest! Larissa I am a member of…… The Port Townsend Arts
Guild The
International
Society of Glass Beadmakers The
Fire
and Rain Glass Bead Society The
Port
Townsend Farmers Market Publications... “Glass Blooms”, Step by
Step Beads, July- August 2007, Vol. 5, No. 4 “Woodland Sparkle”, Step by
Step Beads, March-April 2008, Vol. 6, No. 2 |
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Lampworking is the art of working glass
in the flame of a torch. People have
been doing it since ancient times.
Glass beads will be around longer than we will! It used to be done with oil lamps but
nowadays we have specialized torches that run on oxygen and propane. In the last 20 years lampworking has grown
immensley . People all over the world are learning, experimenting and sharing
what we know. It’s really exciting to
be a part of this growing art form. To make beads glass rods are melted
and wrapped around a coated steel mandrel to build a bead from the center
outward. Layers are built up one at a
time ond different techniques and tools are used to make different designs.
Then they are annealed in a kiln to reduce stresses in the bead and help
prevent cracking. Yes, it takes a lot of patience and no, I don’t get burned
a lot! |
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So, what is Lampwork?…. |
