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My name is Anastasija (or Anna for short and for easier pronunciation) aka Lightkeeping. I am originally from Lithuania, however, I come from a Russian family and have a very strong Russian identity. And recently I also chose to be an immigrant of love by coming to Ireland. A couple of years ago I was studying arts in Cork and met this guy with hair like a raven, cheecks like blood and body like snow straight from "The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu", one of the most stunning sagas ever written in Irish. So after finishing my studies in literature back at home and quitting my day job in the media, I flew back to Ireland on the love wings of Airlingus.
As long as I can remember myself I was crafting something all the time. It used to be sawing outfits for dolls first, then I moved on to knitting for myself and family members. I was always very disappointed that I cannot draw as visual arts are a passion of mine, I just love visiting galleries and exhibitions as well as taking art history courses and was delighted to discover the media of lampwork as it fully satisfies my hunger for color, texture and form.
Lampworking is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with a variety of tools and hand movements. Lampwork beads can be very colorful and highly detailed and they are an instant mood lifter. I just love working with them: matching them with Czech glass beads, colored jade, pearls, Swarovski and other beads to make bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
My next step will be learning to make my own lampwork beads and I am looking very much forward to being able to afford learning lampworking and getting all the equipment. Meanwhile, I want to show you the work of another member of the Russian team - Nina, who runs an Etsy shop Britanika. She makes gorgeous lampwork beads in her home studio in Israel. All her beads are cleaned and annealed in digitally controlled kiln for added strength and durability. If you love color and unusual form you should definitely visit her shop.
Here are a couple of examples of the lampwork beads that are currently for sale in her shop.
