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About the artist...
~ My name is Ania Kyte, and in addition to being a Mom to little Alexander (whose weekly photo updates you see on the 'what's new' page), I am also a glass lampwork bead artisan (which means that I use a torch flame to melt glass and make artglass beads).
~ I also make jewelry using my own beads and high quality materials such as pearls, gemstones, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver and gold, so all the work you see on this website has been hand-crafted by me (including the site itself!), and I hope you enjoy my designs...
~ I discovered a passion for beadwork about 10 years ago, with the help of a good friend named Linda, who started me with a few basics and encouraged me in my progress. Since then, I have been involved in many aspects of beadwork, such as: beadweaving, loomwork, wire-work, and bead applique.
~ On September 16, 2002, I took a class with a local lampwork artisan, and became passionate about the art of lampworking, which involves melting glass over a torch flame to create unique, hand-formed glass beads, one at a time. I use a very basic set up to create my beads: a HotHead torch, propane gas, and Morretti/Effetre glass from Italy. All my beads are kiln-annealed overnight for strength and durability.
~ If you are interested in reading more about me and the beginnings of my journey into lampworking, I was interviewed as the first Featured Artist for an on-line article at "The Beading Times" in 2003:
Featured Artist Article
~ And in case you wanted to see what a lampworking set up looks like, here are a few photos of my little studio to show you the basic torching equipment, including the beautiful glass rods and stringer in jars, tools, mandrels, gas tank, hose, safety glasses, etc., and of course my kiln:
(torching area)
(work table)
(annealing kiln)
~ I was asked by the editor of GlassLine magazine to prepare an article for publishing in the on-line April/May 2007 issue, and it's finally here! The editor thought it would be quite valuable to newcomers to the world of beadmaking, and the article has been released to the public - here is the direct link to a .pdf version of the article:
Setting up a Basic Bead-making Studio
~ I currently live in the beautiful province of British Columbia, Canada, where I take care of my husband, my son, our house, two turtles, and two huge tropical aquariums. In addition, I work full-time, I organize a local monthly bead group call the Fraser Valley Beaders Group, I am the president of the Canadian flamework organization called the Pacific Pyros, I teach various levels of bead-making and jewelry-making classes, and of course -- I make beads!
All my best :-)
~ Ania
Please feel free to contact me by email at: beadcave@hotmail.com
Thanks for visiting!
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~ Website design and content copyright by A.K. Designs (2003-2007) ~