Billie Jean Little
I’ve always worked for financial companies and then, when our first daughter arrived in March 2004 I decided I would be a full time mother. I threw myself into playgroups, swimming lessons, toddler music and craft classes and then our second daughter arrived in February 2006. Personal time was becoming increasingly scarce and I really wanted to do something that would give me some “me time”. Then in the summer of 2006 my father-in-law introduced me to lampworking.
As I watched my father-in-law making his glass beads I was mesmerised and felt incredibly excited. I’d always enjoyed painting and sketching and here was another outlet for my creativity. My husband saw how enthused I was and bought me the equipment I needed for Christmas after ensuring I found a Beginners Class (there’s something about playing with propane, oxygen and a naked flame that’s a little worrying to begin with). I spent a weekend with Pauline Holt then set up my home studio.
Each bead, once shaped, is a canvas waiting for decoration. Additionally, as each bead is handmade, no two are identical and a single bead can take from a few minutes to an hour, depending on where my imagination takes me. My beads are inspired by every day things - the seasons, a piece of fabric that has caught my eye, colours in the sky… The possibilities of interpretation are endless and the real satisfaction is in knowing they have been made entirely by me.
I’ve also been fortunate to spend time with some wonderful beadmakers who have passed on their knowledge: Pauline Holt, Dora Schubert and Sarah Hornik to date.
My website can be found at www.billiejeanlittle.etsy.com