World Artisan Gems

Walk along shore

Website Link: Inner Eye Creations
 

Tell us a bit about yourself: I live in Northern Lower Michigan with my three sons, Adam, Josh, and Mike, and my husband Darin. My background is in management, but I quit three years ago to pursue lampworking.

When did you start creating glass beads? I have been making lampwork beads for approximately 4.5 years. I am self-taught. I learned to lampwork through the many wonderful books available. I had a one hour session from Chris Fisher of Snow Fire Beads to learn to make florals (I just couldn’t figure it out on my own!!). She is a great lady.

What exactly do you create? I make lampwork focal beads primarily. On occasion, I will make a set, but I prefer focals.

What materials and methods do you use? I have tried most glasses, but mostly use Lauscha and Moretti 104 co. On most of my beads I use enamels, frit, pixie dust, and/or silver foil. I LOVE the combinations of textures and colors these create.

Lady of the Lake

Where do your design inspirations come from? I love nature. The feelings that trees, flowers, water, and sky invoke can be quite powerful. I also use emotion. I have been fortunate enough to get quite close to a few of my customers. Within their stories, emotions of joy, anguish, pride, frustration, and love can lead me straight to an idea or creation of a bead. I listen to my inner self…I meditate. When I am having “artist’s block,” I meditate and usually a new idea comes forth. I know that many of my creations come from a higher place than myself and I am just the messenger. That is why I choose not to tell a story about the bead in my auctions. Each person will have a different take on the feeling of the bead. That is very personal. I choose not to infringe on that.

Angel of Purity Dogwoods in Bloom

Where can your products be seen? Inner Eye Creations Ebay Store and Inner Eye Creations Blog

Upcoming events: I have become quite a hermit in the last few years. I don’t do shows or events. This month (and maybe longer) I am featuring my beads for $25.00 “buy-it-now” in my Ebay store as a thank you to my customers. It is going quite well. I have found that I am terrible at multi-tasking websites or places to showcase my work. I can do one thing at a time well. My children keep me very busy.

Who are you a fan of? I have always been a huge fan of Patti Walton. I also love Manuela Wutschke. I think there are so many wonderful creators and many more to come. I am in awe of so many people’s work. Everyone is different and it is all beautiful.

Price range: .99 to $95.00

Tell us a little about one of your favorite creations (seen below): My favorite creation in terms if meaning to me was a bead I made while thinking about my son Josh. When he came into my life, my whole world changed. He pulled me from the darkest depths of myself and shined his light into me. One of my dearest customers bought this bead from me, had it made into a pendant, and sent it back. It was the only bead I have permitted myself to keep. I called it “Take My Hand.”

Take My Hand

 Thank you Molly Cooley ~ It was a pleasure to have this interview with you.