Mix Color June Artist: Nicole Kählin

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Contents of set: 3 glass rods each, approx. 30cm, in the following colors:
Effetre:

G00.591064 Black

G00.591214 Nile Green

G00.591028 Transparent Emerald

G00.591438 Purple

53L61160RB Lipstick

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Interview with Nicole Kählin

How long have you been making glass beads, and how did you get started?

About 17 years ago, I started making jewelry—with seed beads, Swarovski crystals, metal beads, and various store-bought beads. I noticed how difficult it was to find truly beautiful or special beads. I happened to discover online that you could make glass beads yourself. That fascinated me, and I could hardly believe it!

So I started researching and bought a starter kit with a single-gas torch. Back then, there were hardly any courses or YouTube videos on the topic, so I taught myself many things with the help of a book and some "Vorsicht Glas" magazines.

Later, I moved and packed up my little glass workshop. The boxes stayed unopened for years, and I lost track of bead making. About three years ago, I had to buy some pendants for my business and went into the Neus shop. That’s when the old passion suddenly came back.

Shortly after, I bought a two-gas torch, a kiln, and everything that goes with it—and I’ve been fully immersed in glass bead fever ever since.

What did you find the most difficult to learn?

I don't find it easy to work with absolute precision—for example, applying several dots so they are evenly sized and neatly spaced, or making several beads in exactly the same shape and size.

I also find working with silver glasses particularly challenging.

Who is your role model?

I am an absolute fan of Stephanie Sersich. I love her color combinations, the creative mix of various materials, and simply her entire style.

Where do you get your inspiration?

At first, I got many ideas from Pinterest. Since I’ve been participating in Stephanie Sersich’s online course, I look at my surroundings with completely different eyes. I pay much more conscious attention to colors and shapes now—in nature, flowers, animals, etc.

I especially try to incorporate the color combinations I encounter there into my beads.

What are your goals?

To improve my craftsmanship ;-)

What are you taking away from this challenge? What did you enjoy about it?

I found it incredibly difficult at first to work "only" with the given colors—especially because I was missing white and clear glass. It was hard for me to get into the "flow," and the first attempts were quite sluggish.

But in the end, I suddenly had a few pieces together that I was happy with. The challenge showed me that you can achieve quite a lot with very little—if you push your imagination a bit more. In hindsight, it was precisely this creative limitation that was very educational—and that is exactly what I liked.