Lampwork is a state of mind....

.....most definitely, yes.....

I've always wanted to make it less associated with "craft", to more aligned with "fine art".
I think a lot of this characterization can be color based - as there are popping colors, and also those that just exist quietly but add sophistication. I'm always in the process of adding colors to what I consider a rather neutral club of colors.

Ginger, Cocoa, Latte, Ivory, Sediment, ...Black (of course)... and most recently my heart throb colors - Ochre and Pistachio (I know this seems a stretch, but when you think of it - it pairs beautifully with grey, black, navy, brown etc).

The building blocks of elegant design starts with color, form, then embellishment - and an intrinsic sense of knowing when to stop. Sigh...sometimes, for me, it's a steep learning curve - if it turns out to be a good thing, I add more - often finding the fine line between 'just enough' and 'too much' is learned through a process of overstepping - maybe it's more learning the process of awareness of this "limitation line"?

The Pod shaped earring of late has been a process of evolution. I'd be silly to say that I have gotten it out of my system, but this shape addiction just lingers on - presenting itself in many forms - each one just a slight modification of those prior.

I found a new color to play with this week... the Lauscha cocoa... and it just sung... so much so that I gave those beads an elongated tip to emphasize the elegance of simplicity and LESS being TRULY more. I am smugly satisfied.

Over the years I've been aware of the importance of simple design, it's reflected in the clothing designers I admire, and MORESO, of late than ever before, in the work that come from my torch. I have to eagerly wonder what's next. Funny - usually by this time of the year I'm knee deep in transparent glass and bright light... but I have just wanted to continue to be engrossed with earring pairs of rich color & beautiful design. happily, Jill