SPOTLIGHT ON ... DESIGNER
March 2006

Our featured designer for this month is Lisa Kan of Lisa Kan Designs.

It was meant to be. My journey began in December 2000 with Cindy Jenkin's book, Making Glass Beads. I often found this book sharing a space in my bed as I would fall asleep with it near me, dreaming of making glassy treasures. At the time, I was working as a senior quality engineer specializing in LCD and Plasma monitor technology. Impromptu travels overseas auditing factories, product evaluation and a hectic work schedule tired me to pursue any craft. Finally the flame beckoned me and I made the time to try lampworking in April 2001. The rest is history, as they say.

I worked on the flame infrequently while working full time but every moment was a vibrant experience. Those times that I couldn't be on the torch, I would read or research about the craft. I bought every book available on the subject. I visited every newsgroup or forum discussing the craft. What not to do and what to do. And what I couldn't do on the torch at the time, I absorbed through my research. I found by doing this research, my productivity expanded and my learning curve shorten when I was on the torch. This isolation and learning on my own allowed me to develop my own unique style.

For the next 3 years, life went on, working full time, traveling overseas and making beads. But with perseverance and BELIEF that a dream can be fulfilled, things began to happen spontaneously.

In late December 2004, I received an invitation from Anna Johnson of the To Bead True Blue show to exhibit in her new Tucson show. I knew nothing about doing a major show in Tucson but I knew this was a chance in a lifetime. And deciding to exhibit in Tucson began a series of fortunate opportunities. I had only one month to prepare, with no show display or inventory and still worked full time. I took 2 weeks off and spent one full week working on new ideas. It was at this show that I would meet two people who would later offer me several opportunities to pursue writing articles for their publications. The first was Pamela Hawkins, editor of Bead Unique Magazine and the other was Jamie Hogsett, editor of Beadwork's Stringing Magazine.

After Tucson, I went back to my engineering job, realizing that I really didn't want to be there. Two months later, in May, I took the leap and became full time with glass. I could not have made this decision without my husband and family's support. When I became a full time artist, I had more time to do shows. I had remembered seeing the Sonoma Wine Country Glass Art and Bead Festival ads. This led me to contact Jessica Garrison. I felt that with the solid reputation that Soft Flex® Wire had in the beading industry, I wanted to be involve with their premiere show. I just knew that they would be successful even as others suggested that a first year show would be tough to get off the ground. I had faith in Soft Flex and I was right. The show was a big hit for them and for me.

Ever since I began making jewelry in 2002, I have used exclusively Soft Flex® Wire in my strung designs. Every jewelry piece I make is an investment, not only in materials but in time involved with the creation. I don't like to waste time experimenting with materials that won't work. I always do extensive research on every thing I do and purchase. I believe with the right knowledge, the right materials and the right skills, the final work will speak for itself. Besides, why settle for second best when you can have THE best, Soft Flex® Company products.

Lisa Kan is a glass bead artist, jewelry designer and writer. As an avid researcher and bead purveyor, she hopes to share her knowledge about beads through her writings. Look for her first book, Bead Romantique, published by Interweave Press to be released April 2008. Her book is available for pre-ordering on Amazon.com and Interweave Press. You may view more of her work on her website, www.LisaKan.com or email comments about this article to LisaKanDesigns@yahoo.com