Hi! - I’m Renata and I live in Northern Alberta, Canada. Since winters are relatively long and extremely cold here I found a great passion in a warm ( sometimes even burning) flame of lampworker’s torch.
What’s lampwork you would ask?.
Lampwork - it’s an ancient process of making beads which originally used wax or oil lamp to melt the glass. Today, modern artisans use single or dual fuel torches. They heat a rod of glass in a flame and spin the resulting thread around a metal rod covered in a bead release. Getting a good shape and application of decorative design is quite often the longest part. The techniques in combining glass and many other components are limitless in this process and are open to imagination and willingness to experiment . To make just one bead can be very complex as well as time consuming. For that reason lampwork beads are recognized as an art and they’re priced accordingly.
I stumbled upon the art of lampworking few a years ago while visiting one of Edmonton’s glass shops. I signed up for a workshop right there on the spot and after just a few hours of playing with this incredible medium a whole new world opened up before me. I could never imagine anything more beautiful as molten glass. The magic of dancing colors and it’s own way of leading to the final form in which it becomes forever still, absolutely amazed me. As a matter of fact the amazement never stopped . Every time I sit to make a bead the whole process begins again - time stands still and new creation takes place before my eyes.
I finally found my passion - one that I always knew existed.
Although I’m mostly self-taught I however, took some courses which helped me to begin this wonderful journey. I had the great pleasure to be a student of Susan Burwash (lampwork artist and President of Aurora Borealis Fireflies in Edmonton http://www.susanburwashstudios.com )at the Grande Prairie Regional College as well as Corina Tettinger http://www.corinabeads.com who came all the way from the U.S. to teach at the Red Deer College. Both teachers tought me their ways through their talents and experiences which led me to understanding that there are many paths in this field and lots of room for new ideas.
Right now I have my own studio here in Grande Prairie. I call it Athabasca Studio as a tribute to my second passion - Jasper and the Rocky Mountains... All my beads are created on a Carlisle Mini CC torch with the mix of propane and oxygen as a fuel. Each bead is properly annealed in a digitally controlled kiln usually overnight and then carefully cleaned and inspected. While I enjoy working with variety of glass I mostly use Moretti, Lauscha and Vetrofond. There are no favorites here as all of them are extremely beautiful in their color and effect. Since all my beads are handmade each bead is representing a very unique work of art. Although I always try my best, slight variance in size, color and shape should be expected.
Thank You so much for your interest in my work. I hope you’ll enjoy My Mini World of Tiny Wonders. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please send me a note.
Renata
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Handmade glass beads & custom designed jewelery by Canadian lampwork artist Renata Zarzycka
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