Thanks for visiting my page here on the Best of Missouri Hands Website. I am a proud member and appreciate this organization.

I started my “adventure” with glass about 20 years ago. I took a class working with stained glass, and still do some from time to time. A few years after I started working with stained glass, I went to the glass shop where I bought my glass and saw the torches set up for a class. I wasn’t quite sure what they were for, so I asked and signed up for the class. Needless to say, I loved it. I loved “playing with fire”! The process of melting glass with the torch is called lampworking, or flameworking. For the most part, I make beads, of all sizes.

I started using my beads in jewelry. Bracelets, earrings and necklaces or pendants to hang on a chain. But not everyone wears jewelry. So, I wanted to make items that people can use, everyday items. Above you will see pictures of bottlestoppers, ink pens, bookmarks, cheese knives and more! These items make great gifts for weddings, graduations, birthdays and more!

One day, someone asked me if I can put cremation ashes in my beads. I did some research and learned how to make them. It has become a very popular division of my artwork. I am a nurse in “real life”, so dealing with the ashes is easy for me. I have made cremation beads with pet and human cremains. People have been so appreciative to have something they can keep close to them.

I also make a lot of beads for an organization called Beads of Courage. They give beads to children who are going through some kind of health crisis. Anything from Heart transplants to cancer treatments. The beads they earn for blood draws, X-rays, hospitalizations, physical therapy, all kinds of things! The kids love whimsical character beads and all kinds of beads really…I love making the little critters and characters for them. It really helps them and gives them something to look forward to after the hardships of their health problems.

I have a Facebook page that I do a lot correspondence with. I post a lot of pictures of my work there. Please do a search for Liquifire Glass and take a look around. I do mostly custom work, so if you have an idea and want to see if I can make it come to life, send me a message or give me a call. If you see something you like, let me know.