I am originally from New York and moved to North Carolina with my husband, David, about 8 years ago.  I started making glass art beads in 'the winter of '99 as a hobby.  I am self-taught with a little help from the wonderful and very informative books and cd’s on the subject (thank you Cindy, Jim and Corina). 

I have dabbled in many art mediums throughout my life, but I have always been involved in beads and jewelry making (as far back as I can remember).  As a young girl, my father would bring home wonderfully colored telephone wire, and I would fashion the wire into jewelry pieces with various beads for myself and my friends.  Growing up, I  was also very intrigued watching glass blowers make intricate sculptures and designs with glass.  It wasn’t until one holiday season when I became interested in making my own glass beads, and received a Hot Head Torch and kit as a Christmas present. Melting and manipulating glass quickly became my passion.

The beads I have become mostly known for are the sculptured roses, encased rose murrini florals, miniature encased garden beads, and Victoriana style beads (usually containing some sort of floral design).

My beads are made with bullseye glass, and moretti/effectre glass which are all considered a soft glass.  I use gold, silver, copper, precious and semi-precious stones to enhance my beads, and use the finest quality findings in my jewelry designs.  I also enjoy working with borosilicate glass (a hard glass) for small sculpture and some special beads.  

Thank you for taking the time to look at my website.  I hope you have enjoyed looking at my glass art beads and jewelry designs.  If you are thinking about lampworking, or already are lampworking, I hope that my work has inspired you.

Private Studio located in Fuquay-Varina, NC

CONTACT MARILYN