Meet Kim Nelson : Lampwork Beads & Jewelry
There is magic involved in manipulating glass in front of a flame and coming away with an object of beauty and interest, and with it, a multitude of possibilities. It's a rewarding, enlightening, inspiring, hair-pulling and soul-satisfying way to CREATE!
Always adventurous to try new art forms, I stumbled upon lampwork because my mother was intrigued when she saw it demonstrated. So we, along with two aunts, took a week-long class....and it was amazing. We played with fire and melting things! It wasn't until two years after that class that I had the opportunity to try it again, and after which, I was hooked.
I enjoy every opportunity I get to hang out in my Bead Shack, getting into the zone and making beautiful beads. I work with several different "soft" glasses, like Moretti, Vetrofond and CiM. They all have their own characteristics and a wonderful part of the process is learning how glass colors react with each other and from happy accidents, come beautiful beads!
Kim Nelson, owner and designer of Kimberly Jae Lampwork Beads and Jewelry, has been working with glass for over four years. A graphic designer and former fabric artist, glass has captured her designer soul. Her work can be found in shops and galleries in Virginia and Maryland.
Formerly from St. Mary's County and a graduate of Leonardtown HS and the University of MD, Baltimore County, Kim now lives in Virginia Beach, VA with her family and fickle cat and is a partner in a graphic design studio.
See a video of Kim demonstrating the making of a Funky Flower bead.