Tina Holden – Artfire Shop

Tina Holden – Blog

Tina has made these cabochons from her handmade moulds of sea urchins. These cabochons have such lovely texture and the colours are simply divine.

I couldn’t help myself when i first saw these and I picked up a couple of her moulds as well. I know it looks liek I was greedy and purchased them all but I did leave some for everyone else..LOL..

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How long have you been Lampworking?
I have been lampworking since January 2004.

What torch do you have?
I have a Nortel “Magor B” Torch which is a magor torch with a minor on top.

What is yor favourite glass to work with?
I like working with Effetre most of all but I also like the Double Helix silvered glasses as I like the reactions that can be acheived with them.

If you could be a glass rod which one would it be and why?
Hmm, reminds me a bit of that phone call between Charles and Camilla. I’d like to be the glass rod that has just been purchased with all of the possibilties still in the imagination, just waiting to be explored. Then, when doing so, producing even more unexpected and brilliant reactions.

Who is the most inspirational teacher you have done a workshop with?
Gee, that is a hard one. I have found that I have learnt something new with everyone I have taken a workshop with. I just did an electroforming workshop with Kate Fowle Meleny and she is amazingly generous with her knowledge and contacts and materials.

what is your favourite technique?
I would have to say anything that requires a dot or a spot. I know, that is obvious as all glass bead designs, other than ‘organics’ require dots and spots.
Sometimes I will make some floral beads and then I think that if I never have to make another floral bead it will be too soon. I go to making structured dot and spot designs and then find myself coming back to florals and really enjoying it. I guess I like to try lots of different techniques rather than just using one over and over again just in different colours.

Whose lampwork beads do you admire?
I just bought a couple of Wayne Robbins beads. He works in borosillicate and makes the most amazing frogs. He is a very happy and laid-backed artist and I think this must be partly due to his ability but also to the fact that his work is so unique that it is unlikely to be mass produced in some far off country.

Where do you find your inspiration?
In art books and by Googling images of flowers and landscapes. Sometimes just in my mind when I start something and it gives me an idea for a different design.

How often do you torch a week?
Nearly every day, though sometimes I get a bit slack and leave it for a day or two. That makes me eager to get back to it. I usually work for at least 5 hours a day.

What exciting places has lampworking taken you?
All around Australia and to America and Hong Kong.

Do you have work in galleries?
Yes, at the Kirra Gallery at Federation Square in Melbourne and at a couple of jewellery shops and a gallery in Port Douglas. Also in a couple of galleries and shops in America. I also have one of my goddesses in the Kobe Glass Museum in Japan and the Glass and Bead Museum in Canada.

What did you want to be when you grew up? are you close?
I always wanted to do something in the art field. I was a secondary school arts and crafts teacher for 13 years (I majored in ceramics and did wheel thrown pottery and sculpture) and then I beaded wedding dresses and entered the Gown of the Year quest twice and was a finalist both times. Then I designed and made children’s clothes for a few years, then teddy bears and now beads.

What technique do you still want to learn?
I would like to try a bit more borosillicate glass and I would like to make more marbles and paperweights.

Who would you like to do a workshop with?
I would like to do a workshop with Wayne Robbins and Lewis Wilson and to do some coldwork on beads.

Wendy can be contacted via her website Beargamin Beads

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