The blueprint of... is an article serie where we’re taking a closer look on an Artisan Crafts deviation and how it's made.


Today we are dissecting More Vessels by *ellyloo

First off, please introduce yourself?

Hello!
My name is Elly Peters, I'm a Canadian, from all over, but currently, I'm from Toronto Ontario. At the moment, I'm 34 years old. I have a nifty keen little buddy "Schatzi", my chihuahua, I have a niece and nephew whom I love very much.

Please explain what we are viewing.

You are looking at a variety of little handmade glass pendants, about an inch and a half long. They are scent diffusers, so you can smell your favourite scent all day long! Just one or two drops of your favourite essential oil or perfume, and that'll do.

Can you describe for a layman how it’s made?

The process is called 'Lampwork'.
This involves a dual fuel torch, a kiln, and glass!
I take a coloured rod of glass, and I melt it in a very hot flame.
As it melts, it wants to drip. As it drips off, I wrap it around a steel mandrel that's been specially coated. To make sure the glass goes where I want, it involves twirling the mandrel, and manipulating it with tools while it's still soft.

The next time you put gooey honey on your toast, and you take the knife out, and you twirl the knife in your fingers so that you don't lose most of the honey, THAT's what I do.

What tools did you use?

I have to have a torch, a kiln and various and sundry tools.
The torch melts the glass, the kiln helps cool it off, and the tools help me poke and prod, smoosh and mold and do whatever I want with the glass since I can't use my fingers. Sculpting in this medium is pretty odd... you have to work with it.
I work in an unheated garage! I mean... um... yes, I have a studio. (next time you wonder how come I'm not cranking my work out, think about
what the temperatures have been like lately!) I wear many many layers. I have a nice electric blanket for afterwards.

What was your inspiration in creating this?

I enjoy the idea of a multi-purpose piece of jewelry! It's fun to fiddle with, it's pretty, and it carries your favourite scent too! Your own little private 'getaway' in the middle of the day.
Now that I think of it, I'm kind of jealous. I, myself have no sense of smell. The idea of aromatherapy and scents and memory and emotions... it intrigues me.

How long time did it take you to make this?

Hmmm. Well each piece can be as simple or as complicated as I want. The simpler ones have one colour, they don't have dots or stripes or handles. The more complicated ones can have all of that.



There is beauty in both simplicity and intricacy.
And... obviously, the more time I spend putting little dots or designs on a piece, the longer it takes! It can take me anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 for some of these.

Did you run into anything unexpected while creating?

It's always a pain when you run out of propane!
The cold is a challenge! If the power goes off, the kiln shuts off! One time I cut myself, and while it didn't hurt...well... glass rods get slippery when wet! I've been very lucky, and I haven't burned myself! Sometimes the glass suprises me and pops in the heat when it goes from cold to hot quickly...the hot pieces sometimes find their way into places they shouldn't.. I have odd little blisters sometimes. (Mostly in the summer when I'm not all bundled up).
Then there are technical challenges... I don't know how to do something, or the glass cracks on me... I chalk that all up to skill. I just have to learn more and be better.

Are you happy with the result?

Each one is different and unique! I'm happy that they do what they're supposed to and I'm quite happy with some of the colour combinations. For me, this is often an experiment. I know how to make what I want in general, but the colour and the techniques used to achieve it are all 'tries'. They often work out! The ones that don't work out are ones you won't see. I only show the ones I'm proud of. (90% of what I make is 'showable' )

Where have you learnt your skills in this area?

I learned lampwork from a workshop at a beadfx in Toronto! They have torches set up in the back, and teachers. I fell in love with it. I quickly set myself up, and everything I learn now is what I can glean by watching others, or reading tutorials, or studying beautiful work I see, and see if I can get a similar result.

Do you take your own photos? Any tips you want to share for presenting your work?

I take my own photos! Personally, I enjoy the 'close up and persona' look. Yes, they look HUGE in the photo, but I always tell or show people how big the piece is if I'm trying to sell it. Otherwise, I like taking photos that I wouldn't mind framing! My work is my art, and I love it even more if I can present it in a way that makes peoples first reaction be "Ohhhhh..!" For more tips, check out the photography category on my website [link]

What is the best tip you can give to others wanting to test this craft/material/technique?

It's an expensive hobby.
Be safe, and research all the safety tips you can find.
Don't let others get you down! Be aware of what you can improve on, but be proud of what you accomplished! You're melting glass! You are making your own beads! No one can have jewelry made with that particular bead but you!
Practice! Don't expect people to spoonfeed you. Learn how to figure things out with the information you can find. That way your work is more 'yours'.

Are you selling your work?

Yes I am! If you make jewelry, and think that my style might accentuate your style, let me know! I am on etsy and artfire as ellyloo, if you need to check out prices.
Send me a note on DA, or email me at elly@ellyloo.com
Please check out my website, [link].




Thank you *ellyloo for participating and taking the time to answer my question!

//`Myana

I'd love to recive suggestions for next "victim" to interview! Note me with a link to the deviation you'd like to know more about and I'll contact the deviant.




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