Glass beads are works of beauty, whimsy and wonder
Dozens of unique, colorful glass beads shimmer in the sun’s rays at Kimberley Adams’ new Flat Rock business, Transformation Glass.
A long pink bead with shiny sparkles and a blue design with white stars is especially eye-catching. So is a light translucent blue bead that sparkles with a glittery turquoise color in the sunlight.
Creating beautiful, unique glass beads is Adams’ passion. She literally wrote the book on the subject — “The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking,” Lark Books/Sterling Press, 2005 — and her work is shown in galleries throughout the country. She’s taught glass bead-making for more than 12 years and sells a line of finished jewelry at a local gallery.
“What she does is astonishing,” says Mary Doornbos, craft manager at John C. Campbell Folk School. “She makes it look easy, but technically, they’re absolutely incredible.”
Adams, who has also taught glass bead making at John C. Campbell Folk School, is well-regarded by professional artists at the school. Her glasswork has been sold in the gift shop for 10 years.
“I think she has a great sense of humor in her work,” Doornbos says. “It can be very whimsical and fun.”
Her beads, which include every imaginable color, are playful in shape or design. She creates animals, flowers, stripes, dots, faces and a wide variety of shapes and textures.
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