As a chemistry major I took a scientific glassblowing class in college about 35 years ago to make and repair equipment I used. I had more fun making swans and pink elephants when I could get into the shop after hours. Moving 30+ years into the future, my spouse gave me a beadmaking glass as a birthday present and I was hooked again. She did have an ulterior motive - she makes jewelry and soon put in requests for color combinations. I have taken classes given at several Seattle/Tacoma area bead and glass shops as well as from Leah Fairbanks and Larry Scott (through the Puget Sound bead festival). While I still have a day job as a chemist at an environmental consulting firm, I am looking forward to the day I can devote much more time to creating beads. For now, it is both relaxing and an excellent stress reliever as I get involved in the zen of colors and forms.
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