Meet This Month's Featured Artist

Hi!

I'm Carolina Sherrill and my nickname here is BeadsbyFirefly. I am thrilled to be the featured artist for the month of July...even though it's the beginning of summer and the temperatures are not torch-friendly here in Las Vegas!

But before I moved to this desert town, I lived in one amazing little place called Bermuda. It was the start of many wonderful things in my life...

I was 21 and had just left my home in Brazil to move to this tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic. My friend Mariangela, one of the great people who made me feel so welcomed to the island, had a job at the Bermuda Glassblowing Studio. One day, I decided to stop by and visit to see her in action. Gayle, the owner of the studio, happened to be looking for someone to take care of the store. I was offered the job and my love affair with glass started that day.

I became fascinated with the whole thing, but knew that glass blowing itself was not for me. Lampwork was definately my choice from the start. I asked Gayle to teach me the basics around the torch not long after I started working there. And almost every day, I would work in the shop from nine to close, and then sneak to the studio in the back to practice. I started making miniature animals, and then I found a book about beads by Cindy Jenkins. I begun making beads and putting necklaces together. I purchased my own torch and started making the jewelry sold at the shop. My friend Nicole was also selling my jewelry around her office, and always wearing the ones I made for her.

And then one summer I met my now husband...and that was the beginning of another love story that took me away from Bermuda and brought me to Las Vegas. During the transition, I was unable to work with glass at all. But after two long years, it was time again.

And here I am, back to the torch! I'm very thankful for all the support from those who helped me along the way. I now divide my time ( not always equally) between my husband, my babies Rusty and Marble (dog & cat), a full-time job and glass.

Carolina

Please visit my current auctions here at JustBeads.com