| Hi! My name is Angela aka Swurlgurl. I live in Washington State. I have 8 kids that I love very much and I am with my soul mate. (yeppers, even after all of these years I still think that). I have always loved to paint, draw, well, heck, anything to do with creating things just makes me happy. I love glass! My dream was to one day learn to blow glass. We go to the Tacoma Glass Museum a lot and I just stare in awe at the molten glass being twisted, turned, and rolled into a beautiful creation. I had no idea that I could ever really turn molten glass into anything, I mean, kinda expensive to build a shop for the humongous kiln and all, ya know? So, imagine my surprise when back in January 2007 I was googling jewelry making things and came across lampwork beads. I was in HEAVEN! I priced everything, learned all that I could, and even practiced rolling glass and the mandrel by using two pencils. I never uttered a word about wanting to start making beads. Well, that man of mine said that I could have anything that I wanted for Valentine's Day. Anything?! Well, I sure knew what I wanted. Off to Frantz Art Glass in Shelton, Washington we went. I came home with a kiln, a torch, mandrels, some tools, and an assortment of glass. I was so happy but then I got scared. I was afraid to light the torch or the kiln! I got over that with some support from my buds at Lampworketc, a forum that I am in and I got rolling. My first bead makes me laugh now but back then I thought it was awesome! I raided the kitchen for tools to use and moved up to a propane tank instead of those little expensive MAPP gas canisters. I am addicted. We went to a glass bash in August at Frantz and some awesome glass artists were actually impressed with my work, especially considering that I am a newbie AND that I use a Hothead torch. That gave me the courage to donate a spirit necklace to the local high school where my kids go. From there, orders keep coming for keychains that I make. I am working on more jewelry and loose bead sets to sell between orders for the keychains and will have them posted soon. I am a firm believer in pay it forward, do unto others, and judge ye not. Wouldn't life be great if everyone would just follow those three rules? I love to laugh and make others laugh. I am very actively involved in politics (don't get me started!) and my kids and their sports. I am really proud of my kids. Anyway, that's about it. I'm me, watcha see is whatcha get. :P |
