Hello, my name is Laura Bowker and I am a Glass Artist.

For over thirty years I have created many forms of glass art, beginning with stained glass and fusing. Then in 1997, I began to make lampwork glass beads and have completely immersed myself into the bead world. The beads I make today are collected and used by bead enthusiasts who create their own beaded jewelry. A quality lampwork bead is a miniature piece of wearable art to be used, treasured, and then passed down to future generations to enjoy.  I am always striving to develop a bead with a unique signature style of my own. One of the most important components of my art is that these beads convey my expression of personal creativity reaching out to touch and to give to others.  

The term “lampwork” can be traced back to Murano, Italy, in the 14th century where bead makers used oil lamps to melt glass. They would use an oil lamp with a bellows connected to a foot peddle to generate additional air flow which would create enough heat to allow glass to melt. People and beads go hand and hand. History shows that for thousands of years, beads have played important roles within all cultures. Beads have been used as currency, to represent status, to embellish clothing, as body adornment in jewelry, and for prayer as well as in rituals throughout life and death.

My journey as an artist is best described by one of my bead designs – the Pathway (published in 1000 Glass Beads, Lark Books, New York, NY, 2004).  The surface decoration has a path that travels along the body of the bead without a break.  Also along the surface are bumps that represent obstacles which occur in life.  Like life’s journey, there are unexpected new directions, and in the end we are left with a pathway that tells its own story. This is symbolic of my ongoing effort to grow and develop as an artist. The result is a bead I am honored to leave for future generations. 

I melt glass using a torch fueled with propane and oxygen to create my glass art. Each glass bead is created one at a time by melting colored glass rods in the flame of the torch. Molten glass is slow moving and mesmerizing to watch. While working at my torch I find a world of my own…it is a form of meditation. I use my feelings to guide the direction of my art; a place where I can let the glass give voice to emotions and mark events.  Once the glass is in a molten state, I wrap it onto a rod that has been dipped in clay; meanwhile balancing, manipulating, and shaping the bead until I am satisfied with my creation. The bead is then cooled in a kiln at a controlled rate of time and temperature. This controlled rate allows the molecules inside the glass to realign, releasing stress within the glass and giving the piece strength and integrity. Once cool, I remove the bead from the rod and clean the bead hole.

The next step is where my art becomes unique from other lampwork artists in the United States.  I add a process called Battuto, a form of glass engraving. Each bead is held in my hand and applied to a diamond wheel mounted in a custom lathe machine. I have several different wheels -- each creating a different effect into the surface of the bead. The texture can vary depending on which wheel I use and what I envision for each bead. Some have a random faceting or patterned faceting, while others have grooves engraved into each facet. Some beads are engraved with vertical or horizontal grooves. The grooves can be very subtle or deeply engraved; sometimes patterned and sometimes not. This technique gives each bead a unique visual and tactile surface.

When I start engraving a Battuto bead, the first places to touch the diamond wheel are the bead holes. I engrave both ends to match. Engraving is done with water dripping onto the wheel that cools the glass. I change to another diamond wheel, which will give a different texture to the surface. I begin to engrave into the surface - following where two colors come together or creating a pattern onto a solid color bead -- other times just engraving random areas on the surface. All the time, I’m keeping watch on the overall balance and shape, making sure that every surface of the bead has been touched by the wheel. A quality Battuto bead should have every surface touched by the wheel.

This is an exciting and new connection that I have found with the glass. I have fallen in love with glass once again. Not only do I have my peaceful world while creating beads at the torch, I have found a second place of peace applying bead to wheel. The glass is taking me in new directions and is sharing with me, which I in turn am able to share with others. The end result is a bead that calls to be held. Each bead is individual, unique, and one of a kind. 

Glass beads have always had a very tactile quality to them and with Battuto I can give that added touch for others to enjoy. I am attracted to the graceful movement of the grooves, which calls to the senses.  The surface of my Battuto beads is intimate and asks to be touched. To create a miniature work of glass art has given me a strong connection with my feelings, and is an honor. Glass absorbs heat and warms to the touch of skin. I find that the matte finish of Battuto beads has a very sensual feeling.

My art is more than just making and selling beads and jewelry. When people see my work, I like them to reach out to feel the texture and to experience the feeling my work can give. Beads have given me a connection to many people around the world and to cultures that were not otherwise possible. Beads connect people and give comfort. It is my wish that my art touch others, giving others the ability to receive enjoyment and calming peace on many levels.

Laura Bowker

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