Let me see…. where to begin. I lived in the Chicago suburbs my entire life. I started taking Jewelry making classes at Elgin Community College and continued that for quite some time. My teacher, Doreen Rasmussen (sorry if I spelled that wrong) taught me just about everything I know about jewelry making but the most important thing was glass bead making.

I decided to take a transfer with my employer and move out to California. I had no idea where I could continue my studies so Doreen showed me how to make glass beads to keep me busy, on the last day of class. My brother bought me a Hot Head starter kit for Christmas and on New Years day I moved out to California.

New Years day 1999, I moved here not knowing anyone. So how did I spend my time off? Let’s just say I got LOTS of experience making beads!

I met my husband 4 months after moving here and we were married in Yosemite National Park in the fall 2000. I’m a stay at home mom to my husbands’ three kids from his first marriage and our daughter who was born in 2002.

Thank goodness for my husband’s patience and support of my little hobby. For years everyone I know got earrings and bracelets for every gift giving occasion. My husband is EXCELLENT at selecting gifts pertaining to my hobby! For Christmas 2003 I got a National 8M torch. I’m still working on this torch but looking into upgrading.

In 2004 I was shopping at our local grocery store and ran into a woman wearing a bracelet made with lamp work beads. I asked her if she made them. Astonished that I knew what kind of beads they were and even suggested that she had made them, Beatrice and I became friends. We have been selling beads on Ebay since Jan. 2005. You can check out my HHH Lampwork page and read all about our little endeavor, Hollister Hot Heads.

Classes I've taken since I first learned to bead:

Stephanie Sersich at the Gathering Place in Naperville, IL

Enameling at Gavilan College in Gilroy, CA

Simply Charming by Tracy Stanley at B.A.B.E. in Oakland, CA

Viking Knit by Tracy Stanley at B.A.B.E. in Oakland, CA                

Riveting from Ann Mitchell at B.A.B.E. in Oakland, CA

I really enjoy all aspects of glass. On my website you will find fused glass, lamp work beads and hopefully some findings all made by me. (I got a jewelry soldering torch this year for ChristmasJ)

Thanks for stopping by.

Jenn