Designs of the Times

Yes, I am starting the weekend early (on Friday) as the week’s nice weather kidnapped me, but now I am back with Artist: Gregory Scott Tiefer of Fire Designs in Poulsbo who works with glass, making lamp work beads.

Gregory Scott Tiefers Lampwork Creations

Gregory Scott Tiefer getting ready to torch a lampwork bead

What kind of artist are you? I’m an unorthodox artist.

What elements do you like to work with? I like to work with glass and wood.

What inspires you to create? It just seems to be bubbling inside waiting to burst out.

“Big ole Bead” aka known as a BOB!

What are your favorite colors to use? I like all colors, but blues, greens and yellows seem to show up a lot in what I do. When I have trouble finding colors, I’ll simply use black & white to help me re-focus.

Gregory Scott Tiefer at the Fire Design Shop-Poulsbo

Where is your studio? Our cold and warm shop is in Poulsbo, we’re not open to the public (Except you Lisa) haha

When and how did you get started in lamp work beading?

I first learned from Larry Brickman, (about 4 to 5 years ago). Besides being an excellent artist, I found him to be one of the best teachers I ever had the privilege to study under. Because we’re so busy with our Furnace Glass, I use lamp working (Flame working) to help me from becoming terminally insane from cutting our cane beads. I have made presents for friends and such, but have not really put my flame working beads on the open market. I started a web site “Torched by an Angel” but got too busy doing our furnace glass to ever do anything with it….but one day….

What are the average prices approx of lamp work beads?

The average price of Lamp work beads is pretty vast depending on the artist. You can pay as little as $1.00-$2.00 a piece for Chinese stuff to over $ 100.00-$200.00 a piece for something extremely elaborate. If I we’re to sell mine they would sit somewhere in the $25.00-$60.00 a piece for a BOB (because some Bob’s can take an hour or two to make) and of course for you Lisa one day we may put you on a torch if we can fit it in to our chaos.

What does BOB stand for? BIG OLE BEAD!

What would be your best advice to anyone who wants to start creating lamp work beads?

My advice for the aspiring artist is pure and simple: take some classes.  Learn the basics as there are plenty of public venues to choose from. The places you can go to learn lamp working are the local community colleges, Tacoma glass museum, Pratt in Seattle, Seattle Hot Glass on 5^th Avenue, and many more -  just Google!

Thanks to Greg for the great personality, interesting interview and the inspiring glass artwork!

If you would like to be showcased in the Kitsap Sun Designs of the Times Blog please email me here.  I would love to hear from you.

Lisa Jachimowicz
Suquamish, Washington
Designs of the Times -What Inspires You?

Design is everywhere. It can be in the food we eat, the art we buy or the Jewelry we wear. The Designs of the Times Blog is about the people, places and things that help us a enjoy the abundance of creativity all around us. Join us as we showcase the rich designs of our surroundings that make up this great area we call home- Kitsap County! We hope to bring inspiration, joy and creativity to all who read our Blog.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, March 25th, 2010 at 10:44 pm by Lisa Jachimowicz and is filed under art, artists, design, Kitsap County, Photography, Poulsbo. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.