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“
I think it's really cool that my
parents let their teenage daughter play with fire in the house...”
Kathy Greer, a mere
16 years of age, is making her mark early in the world of glass art
beads. While most girls of this age are interested in other things,
Kathy is very serious about her bead making. Living in Normandy,
France, with her mother, father and three sisters, you will find
Kathy making beads or doing acrobatic gymnastics on a regular basis.
Kathy says, “my mum
told me that I used to do beads when I was 1; with big buttons and
stuff.” Christmas of 2004, Kathy received her first beadmaking kit
which was a surprise from her parents after they learned of her
interest in handmade lampwork beads.
With a love for
beads of all kinds, Kathy has been making jewelry since a young girl
using mostly seed beads and crystal. But now, says Kathy, “I get to
use my own beads!”
Totally self taught,
Kathy states, “It’s very difficult to find a class because bead
making is not very common over here.” Inspired by the beads of
Corina Tettinger, Donna Mehnert, Jena Fulchers, Yee, and Patricia
Santana; Kathy says, “their beads are great because the stringer
work is really precise and the color choices are cool.”
Kathy loves that way
beads come to life once encased or covered in stringer work. “I
think it kind of gives a 3D look to the beads,” she says, adding,
“If you want to have a nice sparkle to your beads, try Val's
goldstone frit. It's really cool! And also, you really have to try
Catt and Amy's presses!”
When asked if Kathy
has a signature bead, she replied, “No, I don't think so. I just
make any bead I feel like making.” She makes mostly bead sets with
an occasional focal. She does have a favorite bead, but says, “Well
this one's not perfect, but I really like it, and it goes with my
prom dress!”
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Kathy’s family
supports her totally. As stated above, they gave her the
beginning bead making kit. They also provided the Coolpix 5600
camera she uses to photograph her mini works of art. Kathy
says, “They think it's great! It keeps me busy (we live far away
from the closest town) and they get great birthday presents! My
Godfather says it's fascinating,” Kathy laughingly states,
adding, “and now one of my little sisters wants to make beads
too! I think it's really cool that my parents let their teenage
daughter play with fire in the house.”
Kathy makes her
beads in her Dad's office, stating, “He made me a really nice
mini studio in there!” She offers some tips on creating
your own studio, “Make sure you have good ventilation, and that
your gas stays outside! Also, have a nice fireproof table. I
have an old marble table that came from a café and enough room
between the flame of your torch and the wall. I've got a stone
wall, so it's ok.”
Although Kathy
makes some jewelry, she says it’s, “Not very often, [but]
sometimes family members like to buy my jewelry. I'd like to
try and sell my creations later though.” You will, however,
find Kathy’s beads on a couple of the auction sites including,
The Annealer’s Auction Boutique under the name, “myprecious.”
Kathy explains, “Yes, [the name] comes from Gollum in the Lord of the
Rings! Well, I sell a few of my beads to be able to
finance this passion. I make all the birthday presents which is
usually jewelry with my beads as well. This is better than
getting into drugs or smoking at my age!” We couldn’t agree
more! Kathy only gets to torch during the school holidays, so
maybe 3-6 hours per day then, and none when there's school. She
says, “I wish there was no homework, and then I could play every
weekend as well!” So for now, Kathy considers this a hobby, but
states, “I'll try and make it a part time job when I grow up.”
Kathy started
out using a Hot Head torch, but now uses a Piranha and says, “I
love it.” Her glass of choice is Moretti (Effetre) and
Vetrofond. Kathy believes she will venture out and try other
soft glasses at some point. Still in possession of her first
beads, Kathy tells us, “My Mum strung them up and put them
around the mirror in the bathroom.” She says, “My beads are
MUCH better now! The first few days, they just looked like blobs
of glass.”
The tools Kathy
is most fond of are a variety of presses along with her Magic
Wand from Corina and her tungsten poker... although we believe
the magic is not in the wand, but in Kathy’s execution and love
for the craft.
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Please join us in the forum to
congratulate Kathy, ask her questions, or just say
hello!
click here to go directly to the thread.
You can view more of
her work on her website,
www.kathryngreer.com
Kathy is also our featured seller on the Auction
Boutique, please
click here to check out her current offerings
Editorial contribution by Elizabeth Long. |
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