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August 2015  

Welcome New Members! 
Welcome to all the ISGB members who joined in July:

California
Kathryn Covier

Germany
Angelika Kaufmann

Illinois
Wendy Morris

Iowa
Charmaine Regino

Louisiana
Marielena Crye

Michigan
Robin Moore
Diane Wiersma

Minnesota
Kat Sanders

North Carolina
Barbara Hale Elmore

Nova Scotia
Gay Young

Ohio
Jennifer Haymond

Ontario
Lynda Ferguson

Russian Federation
Maria Kirillova

Sweden
Charlotte Hansson

United Kingdom
Helen Gorick



Rakow Research Library

A world of glass knowledge is at your fingertips. Check out the Rakow Research Library at Corning Museum of Glass! 

Click Here

 



Board Meeting Minutes
Want to keep up with what's happening in ISGB? Board Minutes are available on the forum or you can request a copy from your Regional Director.

 


Bead Release Archives
Bead Release Archives
Looking for a back issue of the Bead Release electronic newsletter? 

Click Here! 

 


 

Contact Us 

 

ISGB

Sarah Riggle, Administrator

85 East Gay Street

Suite 707

Columbus, OH 43215

614.222.2243

[email protected]

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Beads of CourageUse your creativity to help a child through a tough time.
Beads of Courage!

 

 

President's Message
by Angie RameyPresident


Hello, Everyone!


I know many of you are experiencing the same feeling I am of coming down off that "gathering high". I can't imagine how this year's conference could have been any more perfect. Terrific instructors and presenters, a fabulous venue at Hotel Albuquerque, beautiful weather, a wide variety of vendors and bazaar exhibitors, a new Hall of Flame inductee, (see below) and a city that went out of its way to make us feel right at home. With each Gathering, I come home feeling like we can't possibly improve on the next one, yet they just continue to get better and better, and I'm sure that New Orleans in 2016 will be another example of that.

 

It's with bittersweet emotions that I write to you all this month, as this will be my final Bead Release contribution as your ISGB President. Any failures we've had over the last few years fall strictly at my doorstep, but any successes we've had or progress that we've made, are surely due to the team spirit and wonderful working relationship we've had with this current board of directors as well as with our outstanding staff members, Kendra and Sarah. It's been my honor and pleasure to collaborate with all of you.

 

To Deanna Chase, Susan Sheehan and Lori Greenberg....thanks for jumping on this crazy train with me from the beginning and hanging on to the end. The work has often been hard, but it's been a lot more fun doing it together.

 

Kendra Bruno, I don't know what I'd have done without your direction and guidance, especially in those early months when I felt like a fish out of water. You were patient with my stupid questions, didn't mind having to tell me the same thing twice, and helped me onto a path of leadership built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. I can't imagine a better working relationship, and more importantly to me, a more treasured friendship. Thank you for everything, my friend.

 

And to our members.... I'm so proud to be part of this organization. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to serve. I'll still be around, working on some pet projects over the next year as Past President, and you can reach me at [email protected] beginning on September 1st.  

 

It is my distinct pleasure to pass the office of the presidency to Jeri Warhaftig at the end of this month. Jeri has been a force in both ISGB and the glass community at large for some time, and her passion for the arts in all forms is well known. She is not only a glass artist, but a teacher, author and champion for our organization. I'm extremely happy to be handing over the reins of ISGB to someone with such a strong creative vision, outstanding leadership qualities, fearlessness in her decision making, and a real team spirit. I hope that you'll all make her feel as welcome as you have me, and as a member, I can't wait to see where Jeri's leadership takes us.
 

Flame on, my friends!   

-Angie 
 

Angie Ramey, President

International Society of Glass Beadmakers  

 
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2015 Hall of Flame Award

As presented by Angie Ramey, President

 

Hands down, my favorite part of the last three Gatherings has been having the honor of presenting our Hall of Flame award.

 

This award is given to a member of the ISGB whose contribution deserves special recognition. Since 2002, we have honored recipients. Whether it is for education, advancement of the field, support of the art form through glass and tool development, leadership, volunteerism, support of artists, support of our organization, wealth of knowledge, a positive community image of a beadmaker and/or beadmaking, or a spirit of sharing knowledge and expertise, the Hall of Flame Award sets a standard of excellence in our world of glass beadmaking.

 

Past recipients include Jim Kervin, Cindy Jenkins, Craig Milliron, Kristina Logan, Mike Frantz, Cathy Finegan, Lewis Wilson, Donna Milliron, Lisa St. Martin, Greg Fuchs, Peter Norton and Jean Robichaud, Leah Fairbanks, and Heather Trimlett.

 

Presenting the Hall of Flame is especially fun for me this year because of my first experience with this artist. At my first Gathering in Kansas City, I went into the Bead Bazaar with one artist's name on my list as a must-have purchase. I'd followed their work online since I first heard the words "lampwork beads", and loved the whimsical, tongue-in-cheek style of their work. When the doors opened to the Bazaar at 9:00 that Saturday morning, I made a beeline directly to their table, and spent the best part of 20 minutes hogging the valuable floor space trying desperately to choose from the amazing array of glass art on display. When I finally made up my mind, the piece I picked was directly in the middle of a mandrel in the display tray, and I heard them exclaim, "After all that time looking, you just had to pick one of the hardest ones to get to." In shock, I looked up to see a wink and a big ol' grin staring back at me, and I knew that I wasn't just taking home a bead, I was also taking home a piece of their fun-loving spirit. And to this day, it's one of the most treasured pieces I own in what's become quite the collection of art glass.

 

Most of what I tell you about this person won't come as a big surprise. They are pretty open about them self and to say they speak their mind is an understatement, no doubt. That's a good thing - we wouldn't have it any other way! With an infectious laugh and amazing smile, this individual commands a room the minute they walk in.

 

With a degree in art from the University of California, as a hobby this person was drawn to glass pretty early because of some long time work in stained glass. However, one day in 1997 it happened that they came across handmade glass beads in a stained glass store and decided immediately to take a beginner class. Guess what? They were hooked. It was around 2000 when they decided to quit their job as a data security specialist and became a full time glass artist. The rest is history and they never looked back.

 

You wouldn't be surprised to hear that they once did standup comedy as a hobby. They don't take things too seriously, unless it's working with glass and even then, to simply see their work evokes a story of their personality easily understood. Cartoon creatures, silly grins, big eyes, fun-loving smiles, and whether polymer clay, bread dough, ceramics, and of course glass, these are all characters that we have come to love as much as we do the artist themselves. Always attempting the impossible, this person's passion for all things glass runs deep. It shows in the enthusiasm spoken and the sparkle in their eyes when they talk about it - nothing simple or trite - full on, blown out, sit down, listen and love it, passion for glass!

 

If this person is not reading Pride and Prejudice or listening to audio Harry Potter books while torching, you might find them doing color drawings with cartoon characters or dreaming of their favorite vacation spot on the island of Murano. Want to get jazzed up about glass? Talk to this person. I can't imagine anyone who could get you more fired up about what we do - they truly love the art form.

 

 

With work all over the world and in many books, this person's time is spent loving life and living "her" own definition of it through creativity, humor, laughter, a passion for teaching, and the love of glass. "She" lights up a room and challenges all of us to keep up! That's right, Toots...it's you!

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am very proud to present our 2015 ISGB Hall of Flame recipient, the incomparable Sharon Peters.

 

Photo by Doug Baldwin
Photo courtesy of Jim Trenkle
 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

From Sharon Peters: 

Being invited to join the Hall of Flame? I'm pretty sure I've never been so shocked & flabbergasted, and it still doesn't feel real.

Receiving this recognition by a group that's so important in my life, and that I value so much, is a massive honor and I hope I can live up to it. The ISGB has given me inspiration, fun, friends, challenges, exhibits, hilarity, rubber monkeys, and the opportunity to grow.  

This was my 20th Gathering, and nothing will *ever* top it! 

Eight Hall of Flame recipients in attendance, photo courtesy of Doug Baldwin
Left to right: Lewis Wilson, Mike Frantz, Jean Robichaud, Heather Trimlett, Leah Fairbanks, Sharon Peters, Jim Kervin, Lisa St. Martin

 

 



Classes at The Melting Point with Astrid Riedel: A Student's Perspective

by Elizabeth Ross  

 

I consider myself a lucky person! To take a class with South African glass artist

Astrid Riedel is truly a dream come true! The Location: The Melting Point in beautiful Sedona, Arizona

 

This was my first visit to The Melting Point. It is a lovely facility for anything glass.

A hot shop for blowing, a lampworking studio and retail space. The later displaying works of glass art that will tempt you to empty your wallet! The lampworking studio is clean, bright and airy. Despite the 100� heat outside it was also surprisingly cool. Even with 3 kilns and 14 torches running at full pelt, the AC kept humming.

 

I had signed up for three classes over a period of four days. The first class included Astrid's signature checkerboard pattern. I was excited about the opportunity to learn a new technique, especially as my go-to colors are black and white I looked forward to trying to incorporate it into my own work later; I might even consider breaking into some others colors! Although Astrid was a wonderful teacher it was difficult and I struggled with the procedure. Trepidation set in and I could not blame it on caffeine! I ended class realizing I am not as good as I think I am. Leaving the studio that day I thought towards the days ahead; classes including implosions, working with enamels and cold-working. I was here and READY to learn!

 

Day two came and it was time to work on implosions. Having made some borosilicate implosions in the past, I was expecting the same. Oh boy was I mistaken! Astrid showed us a totally different technique that in her expert hands looked simple. One of her demonstrations even included using frit. She takes her time in the demonstrations during class, explaining each step and why it is done.

A particularly helpful aspect of her teaching style, Astrid also provides tips for using certain tools.

 

For the next two days I was back in my comfort zone, when we were asked to make simple beads. Well almost back in my zone! Astrid showed us several techniques to decorate with enamel, shards and cane. I found blowing shards was fun but not always a successful project. The cane was very interesting to make and not that difficult. Once we learned how to apply to the bead it became apparent how this technique would evolve through cold-working; a process which

Astrid has down to perfection. The following morning the cold beads from the kiln were cold-worked with a Dremel, returned to the kiln, brought up to 1000�, carefully removed and fire polished. After adding some finish decoration the cold beads went back to the kiln to anneal again.

 

Astrid is the ultimate professional. She explains techniques in detail, provides tips and tricks, gives encouragement, and hands on help if needed. Never condescending or judgmental, Astrid is a very funny woman with a sharp wit.

So, what did I learn? To be more patient, more forgiving of myself and learn from my mistakes! Sometimes it's not just about making beads, it's about the journey you take to get there!

 

My sincerest thanks to Astrid, you are a beautiful soul and I was honored to get to know you! I also want to thank Erin and everyone at The Melting Point for the amazing experience.

 

Now it's time to go practice, practice, practice!!

 

Photo by Elizabeth Ross

 

 

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Industry News & Opportunities
Kendra Bruno, Executive Director


Bead&Button 2016 Teaching Application - Deadline quickly approaching. Don't miss this opportunity!

Bead Fest Philadelphia - August 21-23 in Oaks, PA (25 miles outside  Philadelphia). Over 300 booths & tables filled with beads and jewelry, plus dozens of workshops including a handful focused on lampworking.   



Soft Flex 10 Year Anniversary Hawaii Show - Discount on Show Tables 
 
Toolbox Initiative - Program & Donations

AmazonSmile benefits ISGB and as an Amazon customer, you can select our organization. Support ISGB while you shop! 


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HOT TIPS
By Kiersten Kern

Using a Brass Press by Whitney Lassini

When working with a brass press, it helps to place the bottom part of the press directly on your torch mounted marver. Having the press directly in front of you makes checking the size and amount of glass much easier, it also limits bead release cracking by keeping the mandrel straight and level when you press.

Have a handy tip, fun technique, or helpful bit of advice for your fellow beadmakers? Share the knowledge! Email Kiersten here. Thanks!

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