As artists did in ancient Italy, Karen Reece melts glass with a torch to create her unique homemade beads.
“Italians originally used lamps to melt glass,” she told ThoroldNews, “which is why it's called lampwork, although I use a torch. I melt soft soda-lime glass in a torch. I wind the melted glass around a steel rod, which is how I hold the glass in the flame, and what makes the hole in the bead.”
The Etobicoke artist then takes it a step farther, transforming her handmade beads into jewellery, which she’ll showcase at this year’s 41st Thorold Arts and Crafts Show.
Necklaces, earrings, bracelets and zipper pulls will all be on display in her booth at the Thorold Arena on Saturday, April 27.
“I make all my copper finds, and most of my silver,” she added. “I also use some 'accessory' beads, like crystals, and I make hollow beads - it's like making two beads at once. I like to fill them with origami cranes, seed beads, embroidery floss; wire springs. I then cut a tube 2 mm longer than the bead; cut two discs from silver, copper or aluminum. My aluminum discs have the pattern laser-etched on. I dap (make the disc 'dish-shaped') and then rivet the disc onto the bead using the tube. Recently, I started riveting pennies onto the beads.”
Reece is eager to participate in the popular annual event.
“Cathy Henderson juries, manages and directs an exceptional show,” she stated.
Shoppers flock to Thorold each year knowing they can count on finding “Quality, unique things you wouldn’t see in a store, including art and watercolours,” explained Henderson, who’s searched far and wide to find quality artisans for the past 40 years.
And as a bonus, “You usually get to speak to the creator and they can answer any questions about their art,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to shop for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, showers and weddings.”
She strives to maintain a healthy balance in each category—from furniture to food to outdoor fire tables--featured among this year’s close to 70 entrants.
“Roughly 50 per cent of the crafters that were at the last Christmas show (at Thorold Secondary School) will be at this spring show,” she said, adding that the arena canteen will be open to provide snacks, and there’s an ATM in the lobby.
A $3 admission fee for adults (children younger than 14 are admitted free of charge) helps support the Thorold Community Activities Group, which provides quality child care and recreational and cultural programs for people of all ages.
According to executive director Dan Pelletier, “This event attracts people we don’t normally see participating at the TCAG, so it serves the broader community. Our bread and butter is our programs, but this is one of three special events that we have. Some people who are not in the market for volleyball, for example, come to the craft show. It’s like a homecoming for friends and vendors who come every year.”
Surveys of last year’s craft show visitors showed that 31 per cent came from Thorold, 28 per cent from St. Catharines, 37 per cent from other Niagara municipalities, and four per cent from across Ontario.
The spring craft show runs at the Thorold Arena, 70 Front St. North, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
