By
Patsy Evins
Bead shows exist in a bubble from reality. This world consists of a surreal environment of celebrity lampwork and jewelry making artists and an overwhelming stimulus of new techniques and equipment. With not enough moments in a lifetime to do it all, bead people are driven with a passion to want to try.
This environment has created an occult of followers to bead shows, but the shear massing of so many sensually gorgeous beads in one location overwhelms most. The “glazed” look of over saturation on a buyer’s face is easily recognized in the crowd. The solution to this burnout is prep work and focus, focus, focus. Make a list before coming to the bead show by getting the show’s directory ahead of time. Decide your purposes and stay focused. Pick out the lampworkers you want to visit and go to their booths first. Why? Because artisan lampworkers put out the best beads first and these beads sale quickly. If you have decided what type of jewelry you will be making, and how many beads and supplies for each bracelet or necklace, choosing beads will be easy. Having the jewelry designs with you for reference and a complete list of all materials needed will make it even simpler. You can leave time and money for some spontaneity but 90% of your buying should be preplanned.
If the buyer is not prepared they will fall prey to becoming overwhelmed. Three resulting actions may happen.
- They will buy one bead indiscriminately at many booths. This mistake creates a mismatched collection of beads that can never be made into anything. Why? Because there are hundreds of variations in any single color due to many glass manufacturers’ different formulas and artists hand mixing the colors.
- Thinking there are so many booths and they can find extra beads cheaper, they will not buy enough matching beads at one booth to complete a design. The best way to avoid this problem is to take the leap and purchase the needed beads from one lampworker. Why? If you fall in love with a bead, you have fallen in love with that lampworker’s personal style that is uniquely hers (or his). This style will create continuity in you finished jewelry, giving it a more artistic and professional look. This jewelry will therefore be easier to sell.Some artisan lampworkers help prospective buyers choose coordinating beads to complete a design. This service is free and benefits the buyer because of the lampworker’s trained eye and artistic expertise. If the person decides to only purchase a few beads, chances are she will return to that booth because she can not find other beads to match. The sad reality is, invariably, those beads sold to someone else after she left the booth.
- Lastly, many buyers do not understand that artisans only create “one of a kind” beads. An artisan lampworker will create new color combinations and styles of beads each day. She will only make 6-10 beads in a set and not repeat that color combination again. Why? Because beads are created while in the growth process of becoming a better fine artist. Each day is an opportunity to push artistic boundaries in color, composition, and design to create something new. Repetition would be going backwards in the growth process, creating a feeling of stagnation and decay. To feel alive and joyful in the birthing of a new bead creation is the goal of an artisan lampworker.
I received a BFA in drawing and painting plus four years in private art institutions. In 1998, I changed my focus from painting to glass. My studies in glass have been extensive with training from leaders in the glass industry. My fine art lampwork beads have been featured in magazines, books and competitions, as well as in art museums and personal art collections. My paintings have been exhibited and sold in Japan, Europe, the Far East, Puerto Rico, and the United States. Visit my Work at https://patsyevinsstudio.com.
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