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Julie Frahm – Glass Bead Artist – Artist Statement
I make the glass beads using a torch that runs oxygen and LPG. I melt different coloured rods of glass, winding the glass onto a stainless steel mandrel to create the bead. Each bead is individually made. This art is known as lampworking or flameworking, and there are many different techniques that can be used to create the bead.
My main influence is colour! I love putting different colours together to see how they look. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s great that glass is continually evolving, new colours are being made, and new techniques are being used to make the glass. It means my palette continually expands as I try the new glass that comes out.
I primarily use Italian glass to make my beads, however recently I have also started exploring recycled glass from various sources such as beer bottles, wine bottles, windows, and all sorts of other objects. It has been fascinating to see the transformation of this glass into beads and jewellery.
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