When I think of Sheri, I think of gorgeous fused pieces. I sure hope she sends me a picture or two of her work. (She did!) She does these amazing puzzle pieces. I love getting her little bits and pieces for my PMC work. Her beads are pretty darn good too! It’s hard to believe she’s just been doing this for a year. Sheri is ‘iwantonetoo’ on LE.
1. How did you get started in lampworking? What was the thing that made you interested?
I began as a fuser, glass is an awesome medium. The fact that you can sculpt, and get more 3- dimensional pieces with a torch along with the kiln was pulling me in.
2. How long have you been lampworking?
1 year
Is it a business for you or a hobby?
Both
3. What inspires you?
I see artwork, in all mediums, and then wonder if I could make it out of glass. Usually not, but I try to make things that might accent a piece I have seen, and can’t get out of my head.
How do you get the inspiration/motivation back when you are in a slump?
Sadly, I wait. And wait….I still torch and fuse, and then a happy accident usually sends me off on another route.
4. Who are your 3 favorite lampworkers?
That’s not a fair question. There are way more than 3!! Brent Graber, AKA Mr. Smiley, is on my list. Most of them I know by their LE names. Mari Johnson from Blue Fire Beads in New Lennox IL, because I watch her during Open torch, and she is so comfortable at the torch. (although not physically comfortable)I’m hoping for a low ratio class with her one day soon! I can only say one more? NO FAIR. Why? Brent, because of the colors he can coax out of the Boro. Mari, well, all you have to do is torch with her, and you’ll see what I mean. As for bead making Lampworkers, I think Sara Hornik is high on my list. Sislonski…there I go with the LE names. I could go on and on….FIG, Hagstrom, Sheila Morley…..
5. What is the best thing about lampworking?
Watching the glass flow into something other than it began.
The worst?
When the mojo exits the building, and I still have plenty of time at the torch.
6. What is the funniest or scariest thing that ever happened to you when you were torching?
Flying hot glass would answer both. I haven’t yet (knock on wood) had any major excitement yet. Just minor burns and I mixed boro and 104 once, but that odd sound was inside the kiln, so I didn’t witness that.
7. What kind of set up do you use?
Torch? Mini CC with tanked oxy for boro, and an oxycon for soft glass
8. What is your favorite glass?
I like the soft glass for the vibrant colors, but the boro provides the ability to sculpt. They both have their strong points. I can’t choose one, that’s harder than 3 artists.
9. What are your favorite color combinations?
Vibrant bright colors, things you’d see in beach stores. Or, the simple black and white. You can NEVER go wrong with that.
10. What is your favorite technique?
Discs. It doesn’t take much to impress me.
What technique makes you want to bang your (or someone else’s) head against the wall?
Inside out beads. It sounds like an oxymoron doesn’t it? Makes ya feel like one too if you try the technique. One day soon though, it will click for me.
11. Is there a shape that you really HATE to make?
Boring round. I like more organic freeform shapes. I don’t like to make anything that I can duplicate exactly. Then it’s not art, and it becomes rather boring to me.
12. Do you have a comfort bead?
Discs and brightly colored spacers.
13. How do you see yourself developing as a lampworker in the future?
I don’t have any long term visions. There are a lot of things I’d like to learn to create, but at this point I am still learning so much.
What are your goals?
To have other people like my work. It does a lot for the mojo when someone else says “Ooohhh, how’d ya make that?”
14. What do you consider as successful?
Success is defined differently for everyone; it’s a tough word to define. For me it would be doing something I love, which includes being a good mom and wife, and living my life in a way that will make God proud. What is the key to getting there? The ability to accept what we cannot control.
15. What would be your 3 best tips for new artists?
Don’t put limitations on yourself. Practice techniques, ALOT. Be patient, and let your heart help you create.
16. Do you like to take classes from other lampworkers?
YES!!!
17. Do you teach?
I haven’t done any official teaching. I will teach classes, but I prefer to call them “workshops”. “Class” and “teacher” imply knowledge.
Will you travel to teach? Sure
18. What other creative outlets do you have?
Mostly glass work, jewelry, and *whisper*….I like to shop
Midwest Creative Collective 