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My name is
Pauline Holt and 'Jazzy Lily Jewellery' was started by me as a
simple hobby, back
in 1993. I began by making bead jewellery from a range of
bought-in beads, but my passion
now is for making my own,
individually crafted, glass beads.
I live in
Buckinghamshire, England and if you would like to chat about
Lampworked Glass Beads, or if you would like
to purchase small quantities of glass beads or jewellery, just
email me.
Also, if you would like me to exhibit at your Craft Fair, I
am interested in attending any close to my home area.
Just email me
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any
moons ago, when I was just 18, I worked for a jeweller in the
centre of Manchester and I loved it. I
enjoyed every aspect of it - dressing the windows and trying to analyze
how much more could be sold using eye catching displays.
In fact it was the most enjoyable job I have ever had. So
much so, that I decided to attend evening classes in order to
learn all about gemology and eventually I passed my diploma and
become a member of the National Association of Goldsmiths.
In
October 1997 I visited my first Bead Fair in Ealing, London.
A company called Plowden & Thompson of Stourbridge were
exhibiting and they were promoting their Glass Beadmaking
Courses. Their display included a most beautiful selection of
coloured glass, I had never seen anything like it. Well, this
was just what I needed.
I
have always been passionate about colour, and the prospect of
creating something of my own in such a wonderful material as
glass, with a range of such vibrant colours, proved quite
challenging and invigorating.
I
signed up for a course straight away. I
bought a book about making glass beads, went home and read the
book from cover to cover. I poured over the beautiful
photographs and wondered if I could ever manage to make a plain
round bead, let alone a well designed one containing vivid
colours and patterns like those shown in the book.
In
December 1998 I
enrolled as a delegate on a course
run by Diana East. She gave me so much help and
encouragement. When
I think back to the beginning, how frightened I was then - just
lighting the propane and oxygen torch was scary! This huge
flame shot out and I could not believe the noise. But like
everything else, once you get used to it, it’s OK. Now
of course it has become second nature and not scary at all.
Whilst
attending the course I bought all the equipment. Scared
or not, I was going to master this.
Once
one starts working with glass, one is quick to realise
that the possibilities are endless.
I
also bought a shed in which to work. I
said I was passionate about colour and a garden shed is a bit
boring, not the sort of working space 'Jazzy Lily’ was
happy in! So,
I decorated the shed to look like a Caribbean beach hut both
inside and out, complete with an imitation thatched roof. My
husband who is used to my crazy ideas was a bit horrified when I
asked him to help me thatch the roof, not really sure what the
neighbours might think. Mind
you, it has become something of a talking point and everyone who
visits the house has to see the shed. My
Shed
Once
one starts working with glass, one is quick to realise
that the possibilities are endless
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