International Society of Glass Beadmakers Journey Publication

We were excited to photograph glass art jewelry and beads for a number of members of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, for publication in the new book Journey , including Judy Carlson, Michele Coletti, Kathryn Guler, Sheila Olason, Kristen Frantzen Orr, Diane Sepanski, Toni Tracy, Gail Hapner, and the So Cal Flame Surfers society. The book is a snapshot of the growth and evolution of these amazing glass artists. 

Diane Sepanski

Gail Hapner

Judy Carlson

Kathryn Guler

Kristen Frantzen Orr and Gail Rappa

Michele Coletti

Toni Tracy

Beads by Gail G. Finney

Here is some beautiful new work by glass artist Gail G. Finney of Corona Beads. Gail asked me to photograph her beads for submission to the upcoming Women in Glass issue of The Flow Magazine. What's amazing about Gail's work is the wide range of techniques she incorporates in her designs.

This brooch combines a lampworked glass bead and heart of felted dog hair.

This lampworked glass bead features a "painted" technique using enamel.

These ceramic beads are decorated with an underglaze pencil technique.

Photography at the Tucson Best Bead Show, Spring 2011

Here are some fairly unedited preview images of jewelry I photographed at the Tucson Best Bead Show.
Martha Brown and husband Steve drove down to the Tucson show all the way from Illinois. Like many of the show's attendees, they were expecting to have escaped the frigid weather of their home state, and were a bit surprised when arriving in Arizona! They brought several of their beautiful PMC and bronze clay pieces to be photographed, two of which are below.

My mom, Kristen Frantzen Orr, has been exhibiting with the Best Bead Show since the beginning. She and I used to go down to the Tucson show together when I was just a kid in grade school, hunting for the next amazing find for my mineral collection. She helped get me into jewelry photography, and I've had lots of practice over the years photographing her incredible floral lampwork beads! Here are a couple of her designs for sale at the current show.

Lampworked Glass Jewelry by Anita Farrah

These beautiful, lampworked-glass, lotus pendants were created by artist Anita Farrah. Anita's talents don't stop at glass beadmaking; she is also a life coach and yoga teacher. She describes the process of creating her glass beads as a "moving meditation." Check out more of her amazing work on her website.