I got interested in beads in Fall 2002, when my friend Cat and I went to the Bead Fest in Fort Washington, PA. I bought some glass beads there and started experimenting with wineglass charms and wirework earrings. In Spring 2003, I signed up for two beadmaking classes at the Corning Museum of Glass. I made a lot of beads and had a lot of fun!
The beads in the picture are made with a type of glass called filigrana, which is a colored core encased in clear glass. When the glass melts, it makes a ribbon or swirled effect. These beads are test beads for the various colors and types of glass I use. I got tired of making round beads all the time, so I played around with different shapes. Some of the beads are flat, some are round, and some are just funky!
