#lampwork — Public Fediverse posts

#relax #different #differenttimes #lamp #lampwork

In April, I focused on creating - in the art studio and in the garden. #amblogging #lizcultivates #lampwork #gardening

http://lizcultivates.com/2026/05/04/goals-check-in-april-and-may/

Goals Check-in: April and May

April was a month for creating and growing! (Dare I say, it was for cultivating.) Bad jokes aside, I am happy with how I ended the month and am anxiously anticipating what May brings. This month, I focused the most on the additive – filling the proverbial cup, as it were.

Finding solace in lampwork

At the beginning of the month, I joined Art Club at the university art center, which lets me take advantage of the same resources and facilities that the art students use. Which means . . . I’m making beads again!

I have been going once or twice a week for the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, they close the art center during the summer break, so I have to get as much time in the lab as possible before exam week.

I’ve found that since the lampwork process requires such concentration, patience, and (maybe most importantly) attention, it’s helping me turn off my brain. The effect this has had on my psyche is so immediate and so obvious that it makes me want to kick myself for not doing it sooner. And the beads are beautiful. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to do this in the fall, as well.

Burying my hands in dirt

The gardening season has officially begun, and that of course means I have killed at least two full trays of seedlings so far. The weather continues to be my enemy, with chilly temperatures giving way to warmth and then back again, on repeat, for the last couple of weeks. The last week of April, I started another two trays, and I’m hoping this time is going to stick.

This means they won’t get planted until well into the season, but I’m not in a rush. I will pick up a few adolescent plants at the garden center to get into the ground after Mother’s Day, but I’m looking forward to the babies I’m nursing. A few are from my uncle’s garden, and a few are from plants I enjoyed in years past. Not really things I can just go to the store to buy.

At first, I was really upset that the first seedling trays didn’t make it. It’s always a disappointment, especially after the early excitement of watching the seeds germinate and break through the soil, their little green leaves tentatively reaching upward for the light. But upon reflection (and a bit of crying), I realize that I have to let that go. Sometimes things aren’t going to work out. And that’s okay. Gardening isn’t supposed to be a formulaic thing. Everyone has different circumstances, different soil, lights, temperature, combination of all those things. There are different levels of effort, different plant labels, so many variables. It’s not going to be perfect every time, or at all — but that’s where the beauty of this is. Because I can try again. I can start over and see what works, what doesn’t, what I need to remember for next year, what I don’t.

(Funny enough, this goes for most things in life.)

As a younger person, I was obsessed with doing things the right way the first time. I pretended to be okay with failure, would laugh things off, outwardly indifferent and chill. But on the inside, it felt like a Jenga tower. Something is going to give, and when it does, it’s not going to be pretty or chill. And then that thing did give — I got divorced, left nearly my whole life behind, started over. Rebuilt. And if I had to do it again, I would have the ability. I’m getting better at taking criticism. My therapist has her hands full, but it’s sincerely helping.

Looking ahead…

I have a conference in the northern part of Ohio this month, along with lots of excitement as we ramp up the summer season. I’ve got lots of appointments and plans and my best friend’s birthday celebration. Maybe some podcast recording. Definitely some writing. Mostly just trying to exist in the most comfortable way I can.

Something new in my Ko-fi store: This necklace is 20 inches long. I used transparent red, transparent topaz, and various shades of opaque red and other warm colors of Murano glass, all with added trailing. The focal bead is red and yellow, with gold mica powder, all encased in clear. Here's the link: https://ko-fi.com/s/61a6da7e15 #handmade #art #artyoucanwear #glass #beads #handmadeglass handmadebeads #lampwork #GlassArt #GlassArtist #torchwork #flamework #necklace #jewelry

I sold these pieces and many more to a group of friends yesterday, all part of lightening the load for my big move to Las Cruces, New Mexico next month. #lampwork #hotglass #glassart #artyoucanwear #torchwork #glassartist #glass #handmade #beads #jewelry #glassbeads #athensohio #LasCrucesNM

Turns out today was Global Work From Home Day. Guess I was late to the party. Anyway, I work from home. And here are some images of what I do with some glass and fire. #workfromhomeday #handmade #art #glass #hotglass #studioart #studioglass #artyoucanwear #lampwork #flamework #torchwork #beads #glassbeads #jewelry #design #color #handmadeglass #handmadebeads #pastpresentarts #christofmaupin #athensohio #buyartfromartists

With Spring arriving, here's something new. I've used opaque glass in various shades of green and grey to make this, with added frit on the focal bead. It's in my shop here: https://ko-fi.com/s/d34d26b6cd #handmade #MastoArt #HotGlass #lampwork #necklace #jewelry #beads #GlassArt #GlassArtist #BuyArtFromArtists

Sometimes, when working on a larger piece, I pause for a bit and just make something else, like a random bead, pendant, or sculpture. This is a large, thick pendant bead with a core of fire engine red opaque glass, and marbling in other opaque colors, including teal, orange, grey, beige and yellow. I've mounted it on brass wire, before suspending it from a faux leather cord. #glass #beads #handmade #lampwork #glassart #glassartist #glassbeads #glasspendant #studioglass #artyoucanwear #athensohio

Back on the torch again, after a long break imposed on me by circumstances. Experimenting with some new colors and color combinations. Much more coming soon. #glass #hotglass #lampwork #torchwork #flamework #beads #glassbeads #studiolife #GlassStudio #handmade

Something very red. Transparent and semi opaque red and orange-red. You can find this in my Ko-fi shop (copy and paste link): https://ko-fi.com/christofmaupin07/shop #lampwork #hotglass #glassart #artyoucanwear #torchwork #glassartist #handmade #glass #beads #necklace #studioglass

Here's a little something I made at the torch, now in my Ko-fi shop. Various shades of opaque red and orange-red, with the large focal bead rolled in shades of blue enamel while white hot. You can find it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/1732aeeb9f #handmade #HandmadeArt #handmadejewelry #handmadebeads #handmadeglass #lampwork #torchwork #flamework #glass #beads #glassbeads #glassart #glassartist #studioglass #artyoucanwear

Something simple for Sunday. I used transparent emerald green glass to make these beads, then added a thick thread of opaque pale green for contrast. The punched out brass discs beneath I heated, then allowed to develop a natural patina over several months outdoors. The ear wires are pure copper. In my Ko-fi shop (link in my profile). #earrings #beads #glass #hotglass #lampwork #glassart #glassartist #jewelry #simplesunday #athensohio #handmade #MastoArt

It's always nice to get a good review from a customer! #Handmade #glass #beads #HotGlass #lampwork #flamework #torchwork #necklace #jewelry #buyartfromartists #MastoArt

In the midst of all this madness, I'm posting a pair of earrings. Why? Because it's a brief distraction, but also because I could never put these in my Etsy shop; it wasn't worth it. Now that I'm shifting my work to my Ko-fi store, I can share these online. For this silver pair, I made spheres of opaque light blue and rolled them in multicolored frit while white hot. https://ko-fi.com/s/bb8f0cd0f1 #handmade #hotglass #earrings #lampwork #glassart #glassartist #buyartfromartists #MastoArt #flamework

Another little something simple: opaque green and orange-red beads I made on the torch, along with brass pendants I made by cutting, annealing and stamping the metal. In my Ko-fi shop here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b6b2440635 #handmade #MastoArt #hotglass #glassart #glassartist #lampwork #lampworkbeads #lampworkglass #earrings #buyartfromartists #artyoucanwear #studioglass

Like so many artists, I'm moving my online presence away from Etsy. Despite their transparently defensive claims to the contrary, and an abundance of nonsensical "happy talk" by their marketing team, Etsy has become an outlet for cheap, machine made, imported junk. Artists with personal and creative integrity are fleeing the Etsy brand in hordes. Much of my work can now be found on my Ko-fi site: ko-fi.com/christofmaupin07 #goodbyeEtsy #Kofi #handmade #hotglass #glassart #glassartist #lampwork

I've been taking lots of work out of my Etsy shop and putting it into my Ko-fi shop. So the next several things I share with you will be links to work now in my Ko-fi. And, of course, if you really like any of it, feel free to make a purchase there or become a supporter for as little as $3 per month. Here's a new pair of hot glass bead earrings: https://ko-fi.com/s/fa229ca260 #Handmade #MastoArt #Glass #Studioglass #studioart #artyoucanwear #lampwork #beads #glassbeads #earrings

Starting the year with something simple. Little glass beads made on the torch, with added mica powder. Green glass with bronze colored mica, with copper and brass hardware, and blue and clear glass with silver colored mica on silver hardware. #handmade #glass #hotglass #lampwork #beads

I'm really pleased with this new piece, featuring high density opaque black glass with added mica powder fused to the surfaces, in silver, purple and teal. It's in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1828688303/handmade-hot-glass-necklace-in-opaque?click_key=3fc94cad25facac69ec8daa8227623da614a5c34%3A1828688303&click_sum=fcfea578&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1 #handmade #MastoArt #lampwork #HotGlass #Art #Artist #necklace #artyoucanwear #pastpresentarts #christofmaupin

I used 2 types of colored mica fused to shades of transparent glass while in the torch flame to make the beads for this necklace, inspired by the iridescence one finds on ancient and other historic glass. Here's a link to it in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1804747254/handmade-lampwork-glass-bead-necklace-in?click_key=c7d7d46bf78068100e9c77ca20d451e8e7415aa0%3A1804747254&click_sum=e5450843&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1 #beads #glass #glassbeads #handmade #lampwork #hotglass #MastoArt

This is very similar to a piece I created and posted here a couple of weeks ago, using the same baking soda technique, but I used a wider and brighter range of colors. Overall, I like this one better than the previous example. It's in my Etsy shop now (link in my profile). #handmade #glass #hotglass #lampwork #torchwork #artyoucanwear #handmadeglass #handmadebeads #lampworkjewelry #beads #studioglass #artglass #etsyshop #etsyfinds #necklace

The only thing that's as much fun as working with some new colors is opening the box! #Lampwork #lampworking #lampworkbeads #lampworkglass #torchwork #flameworking #hotglass #artyoucanwear #effetre #morettiglass #pastpresentarts #christofmaupin #handmadeglass #handmadeglassbeads #glassbeads #glassbeadsjewelry #beads #studioglass #artglass #glassart #glassartist

I used canes of green, rose and blue glass with encased strands of opaque white to make the beads for this 18-inch necklace. The white strands give the beads a sense of movement. The colors suggest the holidays, but this could be worn anytime. It's in my Etsy shop now: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1810739971/handmade-lampwork-torchwork-glass-bead?click_key=f8f3ec3eafc2ad4ff7ab7bbd799da4ebc09a5c5a%3A1810739971&click_sum=e5e07965&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1 #handmade #glass #hotglass #lampwork #torchwork #artyoucanwear #handmadeglass #handmadebeads #lampworkjewelry #beads #studioglass #artglass #etsyshop #etsyfinds #MastoArt

Working on something festive for the upcoming holidays. #hotglass #lampwork #torchwork #flamework #glassbeads #handmade #HandmadeArt #artyoucanwear #christofmaupin #pastpresentarts

A while back I posted a video showing the effects of baking soda on lampwork soda-lime glass. Well, here's a finished piece in that technique. Note the wide range of surface textures and color blends. This is 18 inches long and in my Etsy shop now: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1794464717/handmade-lampwork-torchwork-hot-glass?click_key=aa61d33564c968ca3095d9ee1a43eb2aeb0eb392%3A1794464717&click_sum=5a41e307&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1 #lampwork #torchwork #hotglass #handmade #ArtYouCanWear #glassart #studioglass #MastoArt

Something new in my Etsy shop. I used 3 types of blue to make the beads for this piece: both dark and light opaque marbled blue and transparent electric blue. I mixed electric blue and light marbled with blue enamel for the large focal bead. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1772712848/necklace-of-handmade-lampwork-glass?click_key=55625740609dcef2cf651653d867e3634a88f370%3A1772712848&click_sum=35a48eac&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1 #MastoArt #glass #beads #handmade #HotGlass #lampwork #torchwork #flamework #ArtYouCanWear #ArtGlass #GlassArt #StudioGlass #athensohio #madeinohio #ohioart #ohioartist #GlassBeads #glassbeadsjewelry #pastpresentarts #christofmaupin

Something new in my Etsy shop: I made these beads based on techniques and styles found in Anglo-Saxon beads found in England from the mid-4th to 7th Century CE. This piece is 19 inches long. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1783900995/handmade-lampwork-glass-bead-necklace-in?click_key=a7088d24ccfc52a7661bdd403756c629b97f7e84%3A1783900995&click_sum=45cb1cfb&ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1 #HotGlass #lampwork #beads #handmade #artyoucanwear #StudioGlass #ArtGlass #MadeInOhio #AthensOhio #MastoArt

I met some lovely people and sold some work at the 2024 Alonzo Weed Festival in Amesville, OH this past Saturday! Looking forward to doing it all again next year. #handmade #HotGlass #Lampwork #Amesville #MadeInOhio #MastoArt