Hi there!
My name is Susan Lupton and although I now live in Houston, Texas with my husband Bob, I grew up in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California.
I have been selling on Just Beads since 2006 and have thoroughly enjoyed getting acquainted with the Just Beads community. You may know me by my User ID: Susan Lupton, (how original!)
Throughout my life I have been drawn to many forms of artistic expression. The two things that have captured my imagination the most are beadmaking and photography.
I was bitten by the camera bug at an early age, intrigued by the unusual. As I grew older I began to notice that I viewed the world around me in terms of what it would look like in a photograph. And voila! A photographer was born. Currently, my favorite camera is a Nikon D70S. My husband and I love to go on day trips and spend most of our time finding unique ways to look at and photograph things. At the moment I am fascinated with using my macro lens for close ups of flowers, bugs, animals and anything else that will let me get that close!
Prior to making beads, I dabbled with acrylics on canvas, collage and pencil drawings. Then about 12 years ago I began dreaming of colored light rays, gemstones and textiles: everything in bright colors. I allowed my curiosity about the bright colors to lead me into exploring the world of glass.
One serendipitous day I saw Lampwork Beads on that "other" auction site. It was love at first sight. I knew I had discovered my new playground for color and began my investigation into how these beautiful works of art were made.
My wish was fulfilled quickly. I found a local glass supply store and the owner graciously gave me a demonstration at the torch. As I watched the magic of the molten glass becoming a bead, I was mesmerized. Then it was my turn...time stood still as the bead seemed to make itself. That day, I purchased a torch, every color of glass possible and many tools that I wasn't sure how to use.
It was a few months before I took my first class so it was the "trial and error" learning method. That was in 2004 and I still love coaxing the molten glass into new and unique designs. The organic flow of the glass is truly fascinating and a source of inspiration for my life
Friends and family keep asking me to make jewelry with my beads. I gave it a try for a few months, but became impatient with all of the "stuff" to buy and the detail required to pull it all together. I was so relieved to get back to just making beads, which is where I am the happiest. That experience really opened my eyes to the time and creativity required to make jewelry. Now I really appreciate how hard you jewelry designers work.
Most people ask where my ideas come from. When I look into the world around me, I study color combinations and imagine new ways of combining them. I seem to have more ideas than time!
I did my time in the corporate world as a financial advisor for several years and happy that I was able to escape. When I am not playing with my camera, or at the torch, I trade foreign currency which is also great fun.
I love making lampwork beads and really appreciate all you bead buyers that allow me to keep doing what I love and to Just Beads for creating such a wonderful site. I have tried other venues and find Just Beads to be simply the best place for beads…and also the best place for nice people. Thank you to everyone.
Peace and Joy to All,
Susan
And now…on to the beads!
Please visit my current auctions
here at JustBeads.com
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