She got me into glassblowing back when I lived in Cleveland. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a studio with reasonable rates in Portland, so I gave up glass. But once again, Daniell inspired me--she started taking up lampworking, which is like mini-glassblowing without the blowing part. Making glass beads and sculptures with a home set up that involves a blow torch and some bitchin' purple safety glasses.
Since I'm on an island, and we have to make our own fun, I asked her to teach me when I was in NYC last, and I've just now finished setting up my studio at home. I'm ok at it, since I've handled glass before. I've finally solved my issue with having gotten a bad batch of bead release and am ready to try in earnest.
But you know, what she does? It takes my breath away.
Every time I look at one of her beads I'm filled with longing--and they're beads. I don't usually feel that way about beads. Her work is so exquisite and strange, and I love it.
And she has an Etsy shop, Emblems.
All my friends who make jewelry and use beads, y'all should check her out. And she has some finished necklaces for those who just want to wear something made with fire and glass and passion by an amazing woman.
I hope I can be as cool as she is when I grow up.
