We’ll be learning about Fabulous Stringer Techniques, today!
Have you ever had a week that you needed time to stop, just so you could catch up?
Well…it’s one of those weeks for me. I ran out of time to make a tut… so instead, I thought I would show you some beautiful examples of Stringer Techniques by another lampworker.
I think mastering stringer techniques can take a lifetime if you allow yourself to really explore and push your boundaries artistically. I think you’ll find JC’s Herrell’s stringer work is a wonderful evolution in experimentation, inspired from interests she has in her life. You can do the same.
After exploring her beads on her website… I feel that I know JC intimately. That should be the goal of every artist…making a personal statement with their art.
JC’s demos stringer techniques in this video that will help you master control of this lampwork technique.
JC has lots of other videos and information on her website where she teaches other stringer techniques in detail. Go here to check them out.
Now, let’s explore where she traveled with that one stringer technique she demoed in the video.
Her Prairie Beads has wonder designs, influenced from Frank Lloyd Wright. You can also see Wright’s influence of stain glass designs in her Tile Tabs & Playhouse Beads.
Can you see the evolution of the Frank Lloyd Wright’s influences in JC’s series of beads. (Doing series is a very good thing!)
How can you create new series of beads that are uniquely your own?
You could take a period in history, like The Prairie Style, and study it in depth. Study the roots & influences and discover the things about that style you really love. Then make a list of things you love and incorporate them in a series of beads.
For example… I think JC must have been influenced by…
- The Prairie Style’s simplistic geometric designs that are a perfect match for her stringer techniques. It reflects her interest in using lines, circles & diagonals on her beads.
- The use of stain glass that is so dominate in the Prairie Style. JC works in glass… A perfect direction is to make miniature stain glass windows.
- Using the characteristic of transparency of glass as an additional element in her bead, became another direction for her to explore.
- The top photo of JC’s beads reflect the pattern repetition characteristic of the Prairie Style. If you look at some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses, there is amazing attention focused on the details. Strong pattern repetition in his designs is reflected throughout the house… in the furniture, the stain glass, the hardware, patterned rugs, stenciling on walls.
- Then there is the colors of the Prairie Style. I took a tour of Wright built houses in Chicago and the wonderful Prairie color schemes alone could keep someone busy for months making beads.
There are more aspects to the Prairie Style that could also be explore with lampworking and stringer techniques.
For example…
Textures and metallic influences like hardware
The organic, earthy feel; the emphasis on beautiful woods;
Use of the transparency quality of stain glass;
Geometric shapes.
Wright’s concept of creating every aspect for the houses he built (furniture, lighting, landscaping, garden art, pottery, etc.)
Architecture merging with nature
Piercing & sculptural aspects of nature
Wright did not aspire simply to design a house, but to create a complete environment, and he often dictated the details of the interior. He designed stained glass, fabrics, furniture, carpet and the accessories of the house. Wright on the Web
concrete stone work on the Arizona Biltmore Hotel
Stain Glass & Concrete Stone Work on the Hotel
Above…Stain Glass window in one of the houses Wright built.
Here’s a experiment for you to try…
Explore your favorite Architectural Style. Make a list of all the characteristics you love about this style… textures, shapes, colors, influences, feelings, concepts that created the style, etc…
Then see how you personally can interpret the “Style” with your beads. Do series… like JC.. and see how you can push your creativity using lampworking especially stringer techniques.
I love how JC named her beads from influences and loves in her life! Names such as VanGoghscapes, Brushstrokes, Sunflowerscapes come from her love of VanGogh and Impressionistic style of painting. Some of her Cathedral, Prairie & Brights are probably coming from Wright’s influences.
I use the series method in creating my art, too.
It helps you really explore a subject, push your thinking and gets you out of your “box” or comfort zone.
I love the Art Nouveau Period in History and I’ve explore it often with lampworking…the last time was with ribbon stringer techniques.Check out my blog post & video where I demo ribbon stringer techniques.
Check my SHOP for Art Nouveau Pendants
The secret to keeping your glass art unique is to study and understand the elements of a style … then pulling from within you a personal interpretation or how you emotional connect to the style. (How you see the world)
I hope you will Explore Art and History through Lampworking!
Leave in the comments below what is your favorite Architectural Style and what elements could you use to make your beads…I’ll be happy to add any suggestions to help you out!
Hope you enjoyed this Art History/Art Theory/Stringer Techniques Class!
Patsy :)
P.S. Idea…Start a Pinterest Board on you Favorite Styles so you can have everything in one location to get your inspiration from.
For Color Inspiration…go to my Pinterest Board!
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