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"Finding
combinations that incorporate reactive glass is my favorite part of
bead making."
Lydia Muell,
started her lampworking journey almost 2 years ago. Having been an
artist her entire life, she found the transition to lampworking
quite natural. Prior to bead making, Lydia was a part time faux
finisher and trompe l’oeil painter. She also taught herself
Venetian plaster and fresco painting. But it was her enjoyment of
mosaic work which she says “delivered [her] into this crazy
lampworking career.”
In search of
stained glass for one of her projects, Lydia saw her first Moretti
rod. Asking the clerk to explain this rod of glass and its use to
her, she was prompted to purchase her hothead torch, bead release
and mandrels to give it a shot.
Lydia tells us,
“Kim Neely’s beads were the first lampwork beads that I had ever
seen on Ebay. As a lover of the classically elegant, I was in awe
of them. They almost seemed to have a life of their own.” She goes
on to tell us, “…I was looking at the work of a master, and claimed
her as my mentor. Her work inspired me to look within myself for
whatever creative talents and concepts may be hiding there.”
A supportive and
patient husband, who also happens to be Lydia’s biggest fan, has
allowed her to pursue bead making as her career after losing her day
job. Lydia says, “It has been a struggle for us, but he has held my
chin up from day one.”
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Lydia’s
favorite glass is reactive glass. Preferring Double Helix glass
along with the new ASK reduction glass line, Lydia says,
“Finding combinations that incorporate reactive glass is my
favorite part of bead making.” Keeping her beads on the
mandrels through the tugging and pulling is easy with Bucket of
Mud release, which Lydia highly recommends.
“I didn’t
exactly plan this bead,” says Lydia, speaking of her signature
bead, "Lost Civilization No. 1," adding, “The concept has been
in my head since the day I started torching. I love old world
motifs because they have been around since the introduction of
the three orders of architecture. Greek key is my favorite, but
due to its angular design, I haven’t figured out how to emulate
it on a bead yet. So, I chose my next favorite Greek motif
which incorporates an abstract blooming flower with scrolls.”
This motif, Lydia states, “can still be seen in old world
Italian and Greek frescos, wall paintings and earthenware. This
bead was a fantasy of what might lie on the floor of the
Mediterranean Sea and the design that would almost certainly be
visible on the lost ruins.”
Ventilation
is most important to Lydia. She advises to read as much as you
can about it in the forums, and to pace yourself when it comes
to buying equipment.
Lydia devotes
fifty (50) or more hours per week to making beads; after all, it
is now her career. You will find her beads and jewelry items on
her website as well as on the auction sites.
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Please join us in the forum to
congratulate Lydia, ask her questions, or just say
hello!
Click here to go directly to the thread.
You can see more
of Lydia's work at:
www.ashtonjewels.com
Lydia is also The
Auction Boutique's Featured Seller - to see her current
offerings,
click here.
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