The first thing you notice when you see Kandice Seeber’s beads is how feminine they are. Then, after the initial surge of desire has worn off, the colors start sinking into your soul. Quality, beauty, and femininity, all found in a miniature bead of glass.

Kandice Seeber is a 34 year old lampworker from the Northwest. She is currently residing in Washington with her husband. She describes herself as a total nerd who loves science documentaries, science fiction/fantasy novels, knitting, crafts, and traveling to historical places.

Kandice was kind enough to answer a long list of questions. The following is my interview with her:

How did you discover lampworking? When did you start?

Kandice: Years ago when I was working at a fabric store in Portland, I fell in love with the totally limited supply of seed beads we had in inventory. That love grew into obsession, and for the next ten years or so I made jewelry and did bead embroidery onto anything I could. About seven or eight years ago I discovered lampwork beads online while chatting with other beaders in a Usenet newsgroup called rec.crafts.beads. I had made friends with several people in the group, and as a gift, they gave me a voucher for my first lampwork class. I had an immediate affinity for glass, even though I had never done anything like it. I realized my love for fire and melting glass - it was like coming home for me. Shortly after that class I began an apprenticeship with one of the beadmakers in the rec.crafts.beads group who lived near me. Her name is Paulette Insall - she taught me a lot in the first couple of months, while I worked in her home studio. After that I set up my own studio, and the rest is history. Paulette and I are still great friends.

Is your family supportive of your work and how important is that to you?

Kandice: Oh, yes - my family has made it really easy and enjoyable to do what I do. They know how blissful it is for me to be able to make a living doing what I love. My husband has been my biggest fan since I started! Also, the members of my family really seem to enjoy looking at and purchasing my stuff - I like to show off at family gatherings. My family's support means everything to me.

You have started a new blog called "Coloraddiction." Would you tell us more about that?

Kandice: Coloraddiction came about as a solution to a very old problem for me – the lack of time I have to answer email questions about what I do. People email me all the time asking about techniques and color combinations of glass I use in lampworking. I wanted to be able to provide information to everyone, but time just doesn't permit that. So, I decided to devote a blog to my
favorite aspect of making beads - the actual colors and combinations I use. Color is my passion, and I love to tell people what works and what doesn't for each color of glass. It's like a review of new glass colors as well as colors that are in my permanent palette. Coloraddiction is mostly geared towards other beadmakers, but I do have general discussions of color as well, so it works for anyone who uses color for anything.

What is your advice to people who want to start lampworking?

Kandice: First off, you have to master your fear of really, really hot fire! Respect of the flame is absolutely key. Then, take a class to see if you like lampworking. Once you get to that place where you know you can melt glass without killing yourself, make use of the absolute cornucopia of information out there on the internet. Research, research, research. And have fun!!

You have had trouble with people stealing your pictures and passing them off as their own. How do you cope with it, and what is your advice to other artists who put their pictures up on the internet?

Kandice: This was the biggest shock I ever had to deal with when it comes to my work. I never thought I would be popular enough to steal from! At first, my images and text being stolen really hurt emotionally - I was unprepared for the feeling of violation and unfairness. But after a few years, I realized that it's just a part of doing business, and I can't keep taking it personally or it will eat up the energy I need to create. There's very little we can do as businesspeople once an image or text is copied - especially if the websites stealing are overseas. Contacting the authorities often yielded nothing for me, unless the website was US based. All you can do is keep the public aware of it and hope people won't fall for the schemes that are out there. I won't ever stop talking about it, but I have made my peace with the limits I have to do anything about it.

Your advancement in skill was very fast. What do you attribute this to?

Kandice: That's very kind to say - I appreciate that. I attribute it to a small amount of talent, a couple of really wonderful teachers and mentors, a huge amount of practice, and a love bordering on obsession.

Where do you find inspiration?

Kandice: By biggest inspiration is color. I see inspiration literally in every color combination. I love to look at magazines, fabric, television, paper designs, and mostly nature. I really love graphic designs and tiny flower designs. I get really excited when I see floral patterns! LOL

Do you ever get discouraged and how do you deal with it if you do?

Kandice: I do - all the time. I'm a perfectionist, and that can really hinder the creative process. I have a habit of comparing my work with others' and that's very destructive. It's a constant battle to just love what others' do without trying to emulate it or compare to it. When I am discouraged, I revert back into my own little world, getting inspiration from things I love. I also listen to music at this time to make myself feel better – that helps a lot!

Who are your favorite lampworkers?

Kandice: Oh, that's a loooooong list! I have a huge respect for anyone who makes things with glass! Paulette Insall was my first ever favorite - she will always be number one in my book. I also adore Kimberly Afflek, Michael Barley, Corina Tettinger, Kim Neely, Melanie Moertel, Eric Radar, Kalera Stratton, Linda Muell, Fran Lizardi, Anja Basan (Anastasia), Kim Miles, Dawn Scannell and...Oh, the list goes on. There are many more I didn't mention that I love just as much - it's just too many names to keep in my head.

Do you sell your beads at bead shows?

Kandice: I actually have not ever sold beads at a show - other than at a couple of small craft fairs. I am show-impaired! LOL. I personally could never make up the inventory needed to do a big show - I'm not a fast worker.

What is your favorite tool?

Kandice: There are three tools in my studio that I can't live without - the first is a simple curved dental pick - it's what I use for the majority of creasing and small design manipulations. I work very small - so I need the tiny point. I also make daily use of a small wooden and brass tail stock holder - I hold this in my other hand to stabilize the mandrel while letting gravity shape a round bead base. The third is a small pair of tweezers – to pull tiny stringer!

Are you still selling your beads on eBay?

Kandice: Very rarely - for a variety of reasons. One is that eBay has changed its fee and feedback structure to the point that it's cost prohibitive for me to sell there. I will sell once in awhile to keep myself visible and to keep my customers happy.

How do you like selling on Etsy?

Kandice: I adore Etsy - it nurtures the artists who are there by providing a fun and beautiful interface - and people seem to really enjoy buying handmade things there. Plus, the fees are pretty low.

Have you noticed any shifts in the market for glass beads? What has been your response to that?

Kandice: The market shifts all the time - you just have to kind of roll with it. As more and more people learn this craft, you can see the different beads coming and going. Also, as the jewelry artists' tastes change, so does the market. I try to stay in touch with what people want, while at the same time staying with what I love. It's a good thing I love a lot of it! You can't limit yourself to one thing or your beads will suffer, I think. You have to be willing to change with the changes.

You can find Kandice Seeber’s lovely work and additional informational contributions to the lampworking world at the following locations:

Air & Earth Designs - http://www.lampwork.net
Her Etsy store is http://kseeber.etsy.com
A blog about glass and color called Coloraddiction -
http://coloraddiction.wordpress.com
She also has galleries at the following sites:
http://www.beadartists.org/Gal64_Kandice_Seebers_Gallery.asp
http://www.glassartists.org/Gal696_Air_and_Earth_Designs_Bead_Sets_Winte...