These beads began with a very old carboy — a heavy glass vessel that had been in one family for generations. It was used to store chemicals of some sort. Possibly for use in a newspaper many years ago.
Fifteen years ago it broke. And instead of throwing it away, the lady who owned it kept it. She couldn’t quite let it go. When she heard about what I do, she brought it to me — hoping I could give it another life.
It wasn’t easy. The glass was temperamental, aged and unfamiliar. It was bubbly and didn’t like anything else being added to it (I learned that the hard way). But a few experiments later and I managed to make some beads that turned out OK. The colour is very unusual, but part of its charm too.
I’m so honoured I got to be part of this story. Have you ever held onto something broken, hoping one day it might be whole again?
