A message from the peanut gallery:
    Life is good!  Enjoy it.

I first began making lampwork beads in early 1997. Over the years I have learned many techniques in glass working, my favorite being in the field of murrine or cane work. I've had the opportunity to take classes with both Loren Stump and Dinah Hulet, both well known for their work in murrine.  I like to use murrine to add impossibly small details to my sculptural and encased lampwork bead styles.

The pendant below contains several murrini: an RIP tombstone, a jack o' lantern, and the face of the witch as well as the tiny red flowers. It consists of many carefully constructed layers and is less than 1 1/2 inches across.

My tools of the trade are an oxygen/propane torch, my current favorite being the Knight Bullet Burner, various small hand tools, and glass, of course. I anneal all my work in a digitally controlled kiln to assure a lasting work of art.

Halloween is my favorite holiday season, so you will see many witches year round. I also love to make fairies, mermaids, and goddesses.

I make my own canes, known as murrine and sometimes as millefiore. The techniques are similar to the way polymer clay artists build canes, except I work with molten glass. My canes are directly assembled in the flame and can involve days of making and assembling various parts to complete a final product suitable for use in my lampwork beads and buttons.

Assorted murrini slices, nipped from lengths of cane and ready for use in my buttons and beads.

Pulling cane:

The various pieces needed to make a cat cane:

Personal stuff:
My name is Mavis Smith....been married  to Chuck for  33 years.  We have two sons, 8 grandkids, 5 dogs, and three cats.  My other interests include reading sci fi/fantasy, gardening and fiber arts.