World Artisan Gems

Name: Cynthia Tilker 

Website Link: Ebay.com

Where are you located?  Santa Rosa, California

Tell us a bit about yourself: I have been working with glass for about 10 years now on and off.  The off times were short though.  It’s very hard to stay away from glass for very long.  I have not had the priviledge of taking any formal classes.  I’ve learned from books, and many, many hours behind the torch.  No matter how many hours I spend making glass art, there is always something more to learn.  I seem to never run out of ideas or the drive to make my ideas transform into a bead.  After all of these years working with glass,  I am now teaching lampwork which has really opened up a whole new aspect of this artform for me, and I am really enjoying it.

When and why did you begin creating your jewelry/art?  I have always been very creative.  My mother tought me how to sew, knit, crochet, needlepoint and anything else that was possible to create with fiber.  I started my hand at making beads from polymer clay and wanted to incorporate glass into my finished peices.  My husband brought me home a torch and some glass and set me up in the garage and it just seemed to take over EVERYTHING.  The polymer came to a screeching hault and although I still like to work with fiber, it has slowed way down because of the time I spend in my glass studio. 

What do you make? I make large focal beads, meaning each of my beads is a small piece of artwork that has some kind of theme.  I like each bead to tell a story and to be able to stand alone.  I have my character series that I really enjoy making.  They are all face beads and all have different personalities.   I just keep adding to my family of beads and I love to think of new ideas.  I don’t make sets of beads because I love working on a large scale, so the focal bead is my favorite.  The larger the bead or canvas, the more detail I can fit on or in the bead.

What materials and methods do you use? I use mostly Moretti, Murano and German Lausha glasses.  The methods I use are anything and everything I can come up with to achieve my final result.  I often say that if a master lampworker watched me, he/she might just fall off the chair.  I don’t know if my methods are right or wrong in other lampworkers’ eyes, but it’s what I do to achive the look and individuality of my beads.

Where do your design inspirations come from? I have always loved anything whimsical.  I love sparkle, bling and color, which really plays a huge part in my bead styles.  I just keep adding elements to my beads until there is no more room left.  I make a lot of forest character beads which really allows me to just go on forever in how I want to create my own little fantasy world. 

What is your best working environment/where is your studio? My studio is in my garage and is set up exactly the way I want it to be, which makes it very comfortable for me to sit and create. 

Where can your products be seen? I sell on Ebay under the screen name “glassactcc”   and  Glassartist.org

Upcoming events: Classes at Arrow Springs and a brand new Tutorial.

Who are you a fan of?  My earliest inspiration was Kimberly Osibin.  Her work really spoke to me, and I strived to even come close what she could do with glass.  There are so many wonderful glass artists around, that it’s hard to really single one out, but I know that Kimberly really gave me the drive to pursue this form of artwork and for pushing myself to become better and better.

Tell us  a little about one of your favorite creations:  One of my favorite beads would have to be my “Wildwood” bead.  This bead was made to look as if there was a complete forest in the bead under a clear encasement of glass complete with sparkle, trees, flowers, plants and anything else I could fit into it.

Wildwood

Anything else you wish to add?  Thank you so much for inviting me to join the wonderful array of artisans that are here on your website.  I am in good company.