ABOUT MY BEADS: I find inspiration in nature, my extensive travels, almost anywhere and everywhere! My style could be described as organic though I experiment with shape, color and design with wonderful results. Other lampworkers describe my beads as ‘different’ and ‘unique’.

All glass beads are handmade in the studio using traditional lampwork techniques. I use soft soda lime glass COE 104 Effrete/Moretti, CIM, Vetrofond, Precision, Lauscha, Reichenbach, Double Helix – along with metals, foils, frits, and shards. The centuries-old lampwork technique involves melting glass in the flame, manipulating it onto the mandrel, and determining shape, color combinations, and design. Each bead is a unique work of art even when it’s part of a series. All beads are kiln-annealed (cooled slowly in the kiln to realign the molecules) to assure stability, strength and durability of the finished cleaned bead. I use 3/32" mandrels unless otherwise specified.

ABOUT ME: My company name is Sheila Checkoway Designs, and CheckowayGlass on Etsy and Facebook. You can follow CheckowayGlass on Facebook - learn about my sales, see stories of my glass bead inspirations. My home and studio is in eastern Massachusetts. My beads are available on Etsy and at shows (see schedule).

More than 20 years ago I began working with hot glass in sand-casting at a Corning NY studio, but switched to lampwork when I became mesmerized by the tiny creations. I learned with annual classes at Snow Farm in Western Massachusetts with Cynthia Saari – always inspiring and incredibly productive! Inspiration comes to me from nature and organic materials: the sea, mountains, stone, canyons, sky, rusting metals, archeological structures, textures.

My studio is at Diablo Glass School in Boston where I work among the contagious energy of glass-making friends and teach bead-making in the flameshop. I’ve met a wonderful cadre of lampworkers – folks who share their knowledge and expertise willingly and enthusiastically.