Mytym Beads-Handmade Lampwork Bead Jewelry by Artist, Patty Kampmann

Ten years ago, my quest for a beaded watchband led me to my first bead supply store. From that moment I was hooked on beads and beaded jewelry. After 200 plus beaded watches, I swore I had made my last one, as they are so difficult to size to the individual. I then focused my attentions on bracelets, necklaces and earrings. In 2004 I began making my own beads to add to my line of jewelry.

MOTIVATION:
Patty Kampmann can't remember a time when she didn't aspire to become an artist, but practicality and job security always won out. A love for kids and teaching led Patty to a degree in Elementary Education in 1987 from Florida State University. She taught 5th grade for 4 years in Belleville Public School District #118 until the age of 26 when she fell from a horse and spent a month on bed rest. It was then that she first picked up a set of pencils and a how to draw book. "I completed my first drawings straight from that book and realized that maybe I had something here. It had come so easily. I was able to replicate just about anything I saw in 2D. I had a long way to go and a lot to learn, but it gave me the motivation to go back to school for studio classes." An opportunity became available to move to the art department in 1991and she jumped at it. She then acquired 20 plus hours in art studio classes from Southwestern Illinois College, and numerous hours in art education, appreciation, and art curriculum and instruction courses at Southern Illinois University. My biggest influences have been Jerry Changer, professor of art education at SIU and Jerry Thomas, my mentor in all things. I have also studied under Doug Eskra, Sally Strand, Donna Tamburello, Annie Smith-Piffel, and Tom Hohn, in various mediums, and potters- Guy Weibel and Laura Jackson, as well as weaver-Cynthia Williams.

FINE ART:
Experienced to various degrees in pastel, watercolor, colored pencil, and oil pastels, Patty specializes in graphite "paintings" as she calls them. "Although pencil works are usually referred to as sketches or drawings, I approach my work as a painter would, covering every inch of paper with thoroughly rendered graphite. I love limiting myself to shades of gray and solving textural challenges."

As an accomplished equestrian, Patty has spent the best part of her life riding and competing. Her family has never been without horses for at least 5 generations. Dressage, stadium and cross-country jumping, eventing and at various times, teaching, training and judging equestrian events. From mucking stables for riding time, leasing horses and finally owning several horses of her own, Patty has always made horses a large part of her life. "There's nothing like the feeling of exhilaration one gets from the back of a horse and the companionship of a large four legged friend. Soft muzzles, nickered greetings and racing to the gate at mealtime, the smell of leather and horses, I love it all." With a lifelong study of horses, Patty brings a well-founded expertise to her photo-realistic drawings.

An award-winning artist with works recognized and exhibited in private and corporate collections locally and nationally, Patty is best known for her graphite equestrian renderings. She has done numerous commissioned and private portraits in graphite as well.

Juried Shows:
Promenade of Art, Arlington Heights, IL 2007
Cantigny Art Show, Wheaton, IL 2007
Gold Coast River Art Show, Chicago, IL 2007
Salute to the Arts 2003-2007
Highland Art in the Park- 2004, 2005
Art on the Square 2006, alternate 2004, 2005, 2007
Cedarhurst 2003-2007
Art and Air 2004, 2005

Credits:
Belleville District #118 art teacher- 1991-present
SIU and McKendree College teacher trainer- 11 student teachers to date
Jewelry designer 1993-present
Westhaven Art Festival- organizer- 1998-present
Founder of the Kellerman Art Award, Southwestern Illinois College 1998
Gateway East Artists' Guild-president 1999-2003
Gateway East Artists' Guild- Artist of the Year 2000
Nominated for Teacher of the Year- 2000
Nominated for Art Teacher of the Year- 2006
Southwestern Illinois College Pastel Exhibition 2000- instructor Donna Tamburello
Art et Vin- featured artist 2001
Saint Louis University- adjunct professor, art education 2002
Studio Art West Gallery- One man exhibition Jan-March 2002
Art on the Square- children's tent activity co-chair 2002-2004
Broadway Center of Arts- Art Director 2002-2005
Mytym Beads and Fine Art- owner 2002-present
Michael's on Main Art Sale and Wine Tasting- organizer 2002-2003
Off the Wall Gift Shop- featured jewelry artist 2002-present
Norton's Fine Art Gallery- featured artist 2003-2006

"The pencil drawing 'Tack Still Life' by Ms. Kampmann reminded me of how much I love the medium of graphite… and why--- so delicately soft… felt an urge to reach out and touch the leather!"- Gateway East Artists' Guild 1998 Spring Show Judge

"And the piece titled 'Lox Pump' by Ms. Kampmann, was so sweet in its overall softness… a quiet winter's day"- Gateway East Artists' Guild 1998 Spring Show Judge

"You're a great president for the GEAG-the Best-" Ed Karasek

"We often hear what's wrong with education today, but a fifth-grade teacher at Jefferson School in Belleville is an example of what's right in the schools. Pat Kampmann's class tackled water conservation…The class not only learned about research and polling, but came up with a practical solution that can save taxpayers money. It's encouraging to hear about projects like this one which stretch students' abilities and make learning fun." Belleville News Democrat, Opinions- June 1993

Q: Are the glass beads guaranteed for breakage?
A:Yes, all of my lampwork beads are guaranteed against flaw, defect or breakage. Beads are cooled slowly for 24 hours to ensure strength and durability. I have made over 500 bracelets and have yet to replace a broken bead.
Q: What if the strand should break?
A: I will be happy to restring your necklace or bracelet for cost of replacing lost or missing beads. Out of 1000 or more pieces, I have had to only restring a few due to extenuating circumstances.
Q: Can you resize a piece of jewelry?
A:Yes, there is no charge for resizing at the time of purchase. However,there is a $5 fee if resizing is required after purchase.
Q: What are the metals made of?
A:All metal beads are either 14kgf or sterling silver. We only buy the finest of Bali silver and sterling, and although our gold is gold filled it will last the lifetime of your bracelet and is far more cost efficient at less than half the price per bead.
Q: How are the glass beads made?
A:Each bead is made by melting colored rods of glass onto a mandrel with a oxygen/propane torch. Beads take anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes depending on details. For example, each flower requires 25 separate applications of colored glass with a slight cooling between steps. Once the bead is formed, it is either placed in a crock pot or kiln to cool slowly to room temperature. Beads are then cleaned and checked for flaws before use.
Q: What kind of clasps do you use?
A:Clasps are all hand made by me, twisted and shaped into a clasp that is attractive, unique, functional, strong and easy to use.
Q: Can matching earrings, pendants and necklaces be made?
A:Yes, I can almost always recreate beads to match a purchase and make a set for you. There are rare occasions when materials are no longer available or a bead was a fluke and can not be reproduced no matter how hard I try.

Handmade Lampwork Glass Bead Jewelry by Artist, Patty Kampmann

It's hard to imagine a time when glass wasn't a part of everyday life, but for centuries glassmaking techniques were a carefully guarded secret. Fathers passed the craft of glassmaking to their sons, but rarely to anyone else. Glass objects were reserved for royalty in some cultures. In others, ownership was regulated by price--if you could afford the luxury of glass, it was yours.

Glass is an artisan's dream. It can be poured into molds. It can be cut and polished into faux gemstones. It can be stretched and pulled into any shape imaginable. So it's no wonder that creative people throughout the world choose to express their artistic talents with glass. Lampwork beads are just one form of the varied glassmaking craft.

What are Lampwork Beads?
To create beads, lampworkers melt narrow rods of glass with the flame of atorch. The molten glass is wound around a mandrel, a thin length of stainless steel. The space occupied by the mandrel becomes the hole through the bead. Turning the mandrel and holding it in different positions allows gravity to help the bead take form, but tools are also used to push and pull it into shape.

A lampwork artist understands the glass and the torch, knowing how much heat it takes for glass to flow, how much heat can be applied to a bead that's already shaped before it becomes molten again and loses shape,when to add decorative effects, and how different colors of glass interact with each other. Lampworking is a skill that takes a great deal of practice.

Beads can be as plain or as decorative as the artist likes. Multiple layers of glass can be added, switching colors to create the desired effects. Small dots of color can be left as bumps on the bead's surface, or plunged into the center of the bead for a totally different look.

Dots of colors can be manipulated to form designs. Fine lines are possible when craftspeople work with tiny rods of glass, called stringers--kind of like painting with a glass paintbrush.

Beads Must Be Carefully Annealed
Glass shrinks as it cools. Bringing a bead out of the flame and leaving it inthe open air allows the outside of the bead to cool rapidly, while the inside is still burning hot. The stress point between the cool, shrinking glass and the hot center begins to grow, often causing the bead to crack.

The best way to cool beads is in a kiln, where temperatures can be closely regulated. The beadmaker "soaks" the beads to make sure that all glass within them is the same temperature, then slowly steps-down the heat to bring them to room temperature. All glass beads offered for sale should be kiln annealed.

Very small glass beads are sometimes cooled between layers of insulation.This is not the same as annealing, but the process is usually successful because the small amount of glass in tiny beads tends to cool at the same rate.

Hollow Beads
A hollow bead is made by trapping a bubble of air within glass. As the bead is turned on the mandrel to make it round, the air inside expands,leaving a hollow center.

Hollow Vessels
Beadmakers sometimes make hollow vessels by forming a steel wool shape around the end of a mandrel. Glass is wound around the shape, then gaps are pinched shut to make a seal. The artist continues to add glass to build the vessel and make it conform to desired shape. The steel wool is removed after the vessel is annealed.