Bellissimo (Italian trans. "beautiful" )
Jewels
My name is Belinda and I have always enjoyed
being creative but never really found the right medium until I
started working with glass. Creativity comes from within and
each bead & piece of jewellery I have made has been
individually designed and created.
I have been lampworking (making my own glass
beads) for about 5 years and most of the beads used in my designs I
have created in my workshop using various glasses Effetre,
Vetrofond, Reichenbach, American Glass and Silver glass. Each year
I attend a new workshop with a Master Glass Artist in order to
develop and enhance my skills. In 2009 I spent 3 days with Jim
Smircich learning to control the heat of the flame and the
different reactions involved , 2010 I attended a 3 day workshop
with the wonderful Andrea
Guarino-Slemmonsworking with .925 silver foils, silver glass
and learning new skills with the glass rod. In 2011 I spent a
weekend with Corina
Tettingerhere in Melbourne to learn her amazing
techniques with fine strings of glass, and I also attended a 3 day
weekend workshop with Anastasiain Tasmania whose beads are truly a work of
art.
Studying the art of lampwork beadmaking has
allowed my designs to be unique and exclusive. Although I
can replicate a style I endeavour to make each piece different to
create individuality. Working with glass is an amazing
experience - watching as the glass becomes molten flowing around
the steel rod to become a bead, creating whatever shape you like
and waiting patiently to see the various colours that are borne
depending upon the heat used - it can be both challenging and
rewarding!!
My rosary beads are all handmade by me here
in Melbourne using Swarovski Crystals, Swarovski pearls and
cultured pearls with either .925 sterling silver crucifixes &
centrepieces; or, 14kt gold filled crucifixes & centrepieces.
(Gold filled components have a layer of gold that is
mechanically bonded with heat and pressure to another material,
usually a base metal which is most commonly brass. Gold-filled
products are resistant to tarnishing because the outside layer is
actually gold and is thick enough to prevent oxidation of the inner
material). All sets of rosary beads can be altered and
customised for the individual as long as I have the components in
stock, there is no extra charge. The rosary beads are
WHOLESALE prices - I do not sell the rosary beads through retail
outlets, this ensures you are getting a quality item for an
exceptionally good price. All rosary beads are
presented in a white leatherette style hinged box for safekeeping,
and the bracelets are presented in a black velvet drawstring
bag.
My work is currently available from
this website or by private arrangement (phone me on 0425 704
663)
5% of all sales is donated to the National
Breast Cancer Foundation which is a cause that is dear to me
because in 2003 at the age of 40 I was diagnosed with Breast
Cancer. Life brings us challenges and I must say this was one
of my greatest. After enduring the treatment with
the support of family, friends and a wonderful team of medical
professionals I came through it all with a renewed outlook on life.
We can't control everything that happens in our lives but we can
control how we deal with life's ups and downs. We can look
back and ask "why" but it is more important to look forward and ask
"what now". I am grateful for my
breast cancer experience because it has given me the
confidence to do things I had only previously dreamed about.
I would never have thought that 9 years on I would be running
my own small business, learning new skills and crafts and
meeting and making wonderful new friends; it has also made me even
more aware of how precious life is, in this busy world in which we
live we should try to embrace each day
with laughter and enthusiasm. Look for the
positives and make a difference!
For more information on Breast Cancer,
support networks or to make a donation please contact
www.nbcf.org.au
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