2016 Show Schedule for CheckowayGlass/ Sheila Checkoway Designs:

2017 show schedule:

January 13-14 - Innovative Beads Expo - Marlborough MA
March 4-5 - Innovative Beads Expo - Cromwell CT
March 17-19 - Whole Bead Show - New York City NY
April 7-9 - Innovative Beads Expo - Oaks PA
April 8 - ISGB Bead Extravaganza - Boxboro MA
April 29 - Bead Hive Trunk Show - Guilford CT
May 12-13 - Innovative Beads Expo - Marlborough MA
May 20 - Innovative Beads Expo - Albany NY
July 8-9 - Innovative Beads Expo - Fishkill NY
July 29-30 - Innovative Beads Expo - Concord NH
August 18-20 - Bead Fest - Oaks PA
September 9-10 - CT Bead Bazaar - Middletown CT
September 15-16 - Innovative Beads Expo - Marlborough MA
October 14-15 - Innovative Beads Expo - Albany NY
October 20-22 - Whole Bead Show - New York City NY
October 21 - Bead Affaire - Watertown MA
November 3-4 - Innovative Beads Expo - Marlborough MA
November 11-12 - Innovative Beads Expo - North Haven CT

-- Sheila Checkoway Self-Representing Artist SRA #C-120
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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.