Wow! It has been a long time since I sat down at my torch and made a set of beads. I have to admit, I am actually quite nervous about it. Will I instinctively remember how to make a round bead let alone remember all the finer details of encasing and the delicate art of using stringers to make patterns on a bead? Crikey, will I even be able to pull a stringer without cracking the glass?
I think the last bead I made was over 6 years ago. So much has happened since then. I went off to do a MSc in Volcanology (which was AMAZING!) and then a PhD in Engineering (equally AMAZING!). I met the most incredible and inspiring people on my journey through the MSc and PhD and have made some very special friends along the way. But my friendship with the torch was sadly lost .....
Shed/Studio/Shed became an office and all my bead making equipment was pushed to one side and replaced with academic papers, books and notebooks full of research. It was starting to look like a stereotypical academic's office ... to my shame! But I always kept my lampwork torch and glass rods visible to remind me that one day I would pick up the torch again.
I am still in the world of academia which is now my full time role so I won't be selling any of my beads anymore. But I can still blog about my creations and hopefully, I will be able to make some beads like this again .........
Off to check supplies of bead release and gas ....
Sarah xx
