|
Seekers presents original designs in handmade
glass bead jewelry by Cambria area artists Julie Coogan and Ollie Appel.
Using the ancient technique of lampworking,
Julie and Ollie design and create their own glass beads in a variety of shapes
and colors. Among their most unusual and beautiful beads are those made with
precious dichroic glass. These beads provide an optical illusion, appearing to
change color with movement or when viewed from different angles.
The word dichroic is Greek -- di means
two and chroic means color. Dichroic glass was developed in the 1960s for
use in high technology applications. It manipulates light in two ways,
transmitting one color while reflecting another.
We have seen handmade glass beads by hundreds of
artists from throughout the United States, and we think Julie and Ollie’s
beads, especially their dichroic beads, are the very finest being done today.
The thoughtful and creative designs of their jewelry – necklaces, earrings,
pendants, pins, bracelets and other pieces – are timeless classics not dated
by current fashion trends.
They make each bead individually, working the
molten glass over an oxygen flame at temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees F.
They make their unique dichroic beads in multiple layers, beginning with a base
of one or more colors of translucent glass to which they apply tiny, hand cut
strips of dichroic glass. Sometimes the dichroic glass has a ribbed, textured
surface or is cut into tiny shapes like stars or hearts. The finished bead is
usually encased in clear crystal for added depth and clarity of color.
The jewel-like, translucent colors that form
the base of each glass bead result from complex formulations of metallic oxides
such as cobalt, gold, silver, tin and others, which are mixed into the glass.
They sometimes use gold or silver leaf in combination with various colors of
glass to create an elegant effect.
Julie and Ollie are full partners in creating
the beads and jewelry, with each having special skills that compliment those of
the other.
A talented painter and fiber artist, Julie
first began designing and making beaded jewelry in the late 60s while living in
Berkeley. Today, she designs the beads and the jewelry that she and Ollie make
together. Her distinctive designs combine their glass beads with handmade
crystal, stone or metal beads that she uses as accents.
Ollie, who is an accomplished outdoorsman and
fisherman, is the technical expert of the partnership, dealing with the complex
issues of color compatibility, dichroic glass coatings (which are done custom to
his specifications), equipment design and other aspects critical to their work.
They both make the beads, which they do
individually, one at a time, in multiple layers.
In her jewelry designs Julie strives to provide
counterpoint and balance between several different types and sizes of beads. As
she composes each piece, she creates a collage of colors, shapes and textures
that are pleasing to her artist’s eye. Many pieces involve asymmetrical
arrangements that she finds particularly interesting.
Julie is very enthusiastic about designing
custom pieces for our customers, who genuinely appreciate the opportunity to
have jewelry created specifically for them. She continues to work at Seekers
most Tuesdays and Saturdays, allowing our clientele the chance to meet with her
in person.
|
