MY STUDIO

__MY STUDIO

Welcome to my studio, which is located in Basse Goulaine since 2006, 10 minutes south of Nantes in the Loire Atlantique region (44).

I have always been fascinated by glass. I remember observing every detail of the stained glass windows of the Rosaire church in St Maur des Fossés where, as a child, I used to regularly go on Sundays. I was detailing each piece of glass, each colour, each pattern, secretly wishing that someday would come when I would open the door of a workshop and learn how to work this material that attracted me so much. This is the starting point of what led me years later to start working with the stained glass technique, then the glass fusing technique. From learning as a student and throughout my own practice, I quickly got the opportunity to teach others. Being able to share my passion for this art with others added something extra to my experience and pleasure. I eventually discovered the lampwork glass bead technique during a workshop and that instantly became a real favourite! I got myself enrolled on a multitude of other workshops, learning various specific techniques straight from really gifted international artists… and for years I have not had a day without making a glass bead!

All the pieces I produce are made one by one in my studio, which is where I also teach short introductory classes in the creation of glass beads using the flame of a gas torch (the lampwork technique).
It is a place where I feel good, my workstation directly faces a patio filled with plants and Buddha statues, it is bathed in natural light and in this particular setup I truly enjoy every moment of creating and working glass beads from the flame of my blowtorch. Music - mostly Indian these days! – is another primary ingredient for me to having the perfect background to be able to tap on creativity.

THE SPINNING TECHNIQUE

I work * Effetre * glass, initially in the shape of round sticks or rods and mostly because of the diversity of colours this particular type of glass has to offer. It enables me to access a great freedom in my creative work. The colours burst, the patterns overlap, the different beads shapes slowly take form in my hands, everything happens here, as if by magic, in this place that reflects who I am. Polaroid photos are scattered on the wall, reminding me of past pieces I made and that I am particularly fond of. These act as a practical way to help me refocus... because yes, I must admit that sometimes my mind plays tricks on me and so, despite starting off go on a very precise bead project, I can find myself taking a completely different direction. Could this be freedom? Going on an unexpected creative trip until its final step?

Each glass bead created is indeed unique! Once made, they are cooked in a specific oven to cancel the tensions between the different layers of glass, which is what will ensure their longevity. They are then meticulously cleaned to be ready for assembly.


METAL WORK

Training at the Tané School in Ploërmel, in Brittany, allowed me to discover yet another technique used in jewellery making, metalworking. This is how for the last few years I have been presenting a range of silver or brass jewellery pieces that I most often associate with my glass beads.
Sawing, stamping, striking, welding, a very different job from that of beads spinning, that I still wish to develop further over time.

I put a lot of care in the choice of pieces that I add to my own beads, silver and gold plated pieces are guaranteed nickel-free. The earring clips I use are always gold plated or sterling silver.

THE ASSEMBLY / A BOHEMIAN AND COLORFUL STYLE

The next and final step in my work is to combine the glass beads I make with pieces from all walks of life according to my inspiration. And I enjoy it just as much!

My inspirations comes from :
- Nature I like to spin and work plant motifs within my beads, or sometimes shape them into leaf shapes for example. I sometimes choose to add pieces such as natural seeds, semi-precious stone beads or wooden beads, pieces made of bamboo or other raw materials that I would insert between my glass beads. I definitely remain fascinated by flowers, berries, the perfection of certain plants, and this ends up revealing itself within what I create.
- Folklore of the countries of the world because I travel as soon as I can and I have always been interested in other cultures and traditions. Craftsmen and craftswomen from all over the world fascinate me. Following a 5 months-trip in South East Asia, I came back with eyes full of specific visual patterns that I admired while venturing with immense respect in some villages of ethnic minorities. After a trip to India, I found myself submerged by the elegance of women in colourful saris, adorned with jewels in shimmering colours, a feeling that I soon was able to apply in my creative work. I have Polish origins on one side and I remember vividly the white blouses with colourful embroidered flowers that my great-grandmother used to wear when we visited her in the hot summer days.

This is how, from needle to thread, from glass rods to beads, from beads to necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets or other small decorative accessories, my collections in bright colours are created season after season, inspired by adornments of marvellous tales, folk costumes from near and far countries, subtle ornaments and other splendour found in nature itself.

Timeless collections, vibrant jewellery that swings from one genre to another for unique pieces !

"Beauty is not in colours but in their harmony"

> -Marcel Proust-