This Quarter's featured Artist: Diane Olson

I have been making glass beads for about 3 years. When I was a young girl I wanted to be a glassblower. I can remember researching what I needed and how to get started on my vocation and bringing it to my parents. My Mom's response was that I would set myself on fire. My Father thought it looked like fun, but didn't want me to set myself on fire so the idea was nixed. When my 2 children were grown and I was trying to find something to keep myself occupied I went back to my thoughts of hot glass and started looking at different forms of glass art and decided that beadmaking was right up my alley. I started with just one class and got alot of books on how to do it. Bought lots of glass and started with a hot head torch. My husband and I live on a boat in Long Beach, CA and I realized I needed to keep my dreams reasonable and something I could do on the boat. My husband, Roger has been wonderfully supportive and set up a work station for me on our back enclosed deck. It is enclosed with canvas and windows with a beautiful view of the marina. I now work with a minor torch and propane with an oxygen concentrator. I use the oxygen concentrator so I don't blow up the boat. I figure if I set myself on fire I can just jump overboard. All kidding aside, I love working with hot glass. I also have been fortunate enough to take some wonderful classes with gifted teachers. For the last two years I have taken classes at the Las Vegas Glass Show with teachers, Leah Fairbanks and Pam Dugger. It is truly a passion and wish I had more time to enjoy it. I work mostly with moretti glass and occasionally bulls eye. Recently I have started making perfume bottles after watching Charlie Warner's demonstration and some encouragement from her. They are fun and I can actually blow glass now. I also enjoy making fish and sealife. I think about that alot looking out at the water. I also like making little animals and my 2 chihuahua's (Cabo and Chicklet) give me many ideas. It is truly such an enjoyable way to spend time. I also go to craft shows to sell my jewelry and beads. Two years ago I joined the International Society of Glass Beadmakers and became a part of our organization The SoCA Flamesurfers. It has truly been an adventure and I am so thankful to be a part of the beadmaking community. All of the fellow artists and their patience and sharing of knowlege has been a wonderful help. They all remind me of what I want to be when I grow up.