Spotlight: Studio Marcy (orig. posted 7/1/08)

Etsy shop name: Studio Marcy
Website: www.StudioMarcy.etsy.com
Blog: www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Location: Marietta, GA

1. What kind of materials do you use in your creations?
I use mostly soft glass rods from Murano, Italy, Lauscha, Germany, the Czech Republic and the United States. I have some rare glass from Russia that I use too.
2. How did you get into this form of art?
I painted watercolors previously. I love layering colors and mixing, so this was a natural companion to doing that. I had wanted to try large scale glass blowing and thought it might be smarter to start smaller and see whether I was still afraid of flames and broken glass. I got over both of them.
3. What inspires you? Do you have a plan before you make a piece, or do the
materials “speak” to you?
Just about anything that makes me smile, inspires me. I look at life as sculptural beads. It drives my family crazy. I look at little children, pets and nature and say, “Oh how cute. They’d make such a great bead.” My family just groans.
4. Do you have a certain design style?
Generally, most people describe it as “whimsical” and it’s definitely sculptural. Some of them are “cute” and others are just plain “weird”.
5. What is your favorite technique?
Sculpting molten glass. It’s similar to the viscosity of thick honey when I work with it.
6. Other than Etsy, where could someone find your creations?
Well, right now I’ve got work in a traveling juried show that is at Bead & Button and then will be going to Oakland, CA next. And I have lots of beads in my kitchen and studio, and I have photos of some beads on my old website that I don’t use www.mambobeads.com, and I am at the Indie Craft Experience this weekend. I think my etsy shop is the best place to find me.

7. What is your favorite part of being a member of EtsyBEAD?
I love the members. What a bunch of really nice people. They are cool, supportive, smart, generous with their knowledge and assistance and kind to each other. You can’t beat that.