BellaRhysDesigns's Profile

Bio

I have always been involved in the arts one way or another. From painting scenery at our community theater and earning a few awards for watercolors in my school days to my last 16 years dedicated to being a hairstylist and salon owner, each day has seemed to carry an artistic outlet for me in some form. Besides acrylics and watercolors I’ve also enjoyed creating w/ oil pastels, black and white photography, mixed media altered art, pottery and scrapbooking.

In 2002 I started making jewelry after being inspired by pieces I had seen in Greece on vacation and was frustrated and bored with the components I was finding locally. I started shopping around on Ebay and ran across some very cool glass beads by Cassie Donlen called lampwork. I immediately started researching them and was excited to incorporate them in my work. I found a local class and dove right in, completely mesmerized by the colors, styles and techniques used to create these little works of art! I found that they totally changed an ordinary piece of jewelry into an endless array of possibilities.

I have since taken metalsmithing classes to enhance my work by making my own forged or custom stamped pieces.

I find inspiration in my children’s books, fun material, change of seasons, pictures in magazines,some of the treasuries here on Etsy or even let my 6 year old daughter to come up with a fun color combo.

Each lampwork bead is made by me. They are properly kiln annealed for strength and durability. I use Moretti, Bullseye and Lauscha glass. I am an active member of both Lampwork Etc and WetCanvas communities.

You can visit my blog at:
http://bellarhysdesigns.blogspot.com/

Female, Born on January 4

Favorite Materials

Glass, Lampwork, sterling, resin, photos, copper