Beadaciously brilliant, to know Libby Leuchtman is to know her beads. When she’s not torching it up she manages the flame studio, teaches workshops, and works on private commissions.
Why beads? I saw my first artist-made beads at a local art show. Back then I was making jewelry and selling to several shops, but I wanted to get into the higher end art shows. To do that you had to make everything by hand, so I took my first class and was hooked. That was about 17 years ago.
What’s new now? I’m exploring the technique of coldworking – changing the surface of glass with various grits and tools – for beads. It pushes my creative envelope and the ideas are endless. Love it!
You’re in print. Real or not real? Real. I’ve been fortunate enough to be published in several books, with the most recent being 1000 Beads book by Lark. Others include Glass Bead Workshop and Soda Lime Times.
What else are you up to? Traveling and teaching. I recently went to Pilchuck Glass School in the Seattle area, taught at Pittsburg Glass Center, and attended The Gathering.
See Leuchtman’s jewelry close-up and personal in the HotShop Gift Gallery. Meet Leuchtman, see her jewelry at Glass Galore, a show & sale in partnership with the St. Louis Lampworkers Society, that opens at Third Degree’s September 19 Third Friday.
