Okay, finally thought I better add a page all about ME! Oh boy…

MY STORY…

Okay, so here it is… my story. I live in Eugene, OR with my family, which consists of my husband and my two young daughters. You might wonder about how I came up with the name Duda Designs. Well, I usually refer to my husband as “dude” and we decided that the feminine of “dude” was “duda” and hence a name was born.

I have a Fine Arts degree from Bryn Mawr College where I studied printmaking and painting. My work has transitioned over time to what works best with my lifestyle, and right now that seems to be glass!!

I have been making beads for the last ten years. I really kicked it into gear in 2001 when I began selling my unique items online. Initially I learned everything from books and the web. (Wet Canvas is an amazing resource!!) I of course saw Kate Fowle’s beginning lampworking video about a year before I started making glass beads and I thought to myself… that is CRAZY!! I’d never do that! HA! Never say never. In the past few years I have been fortunate enough to study with Deb Crowley, Leah Fairbanks, and most recently Stephanie Sersich. Each artist was a delight and I look forward to more classes in the future!!

Anyway, you can see this is a photo of my glass studio. It used to be my husband’s office until I kindly vacated his stuff for my beads! You can imagine his joy when I said you need to let me have your office, help me move a 180lb. oxygen tank and set up a table for using a torch so I can make beads… He is also very happy now that I only use two concentrators… no more tanks!

EEK! Here is a picture of the inside of my studio. Not only did my husband give me his office but also he built me a great set of shelves so I can store my glass (hmm, do I ever put any of it away?!) Of course he helped me add my wonderful ventilation hood! A must if you work with silver, or enamels. I actually have a special mask I wear IN ADDITION to my hood for enamels… Anyway, it is a nice setup! I am quite fortunate.

In the photo below you can see the elegant desk that I do all my web stuff from. It is in my dining room where the kids can play nearby. You can also see my organizational technique, that is whatever is on top of my desk is most important. Usually this works, except for when the piles fall over… then I have trouble. Now you also know how I get things done, Martha doesn’t live HERE! Heehee…

Anyway…. that is my bead story. When I can find time I head out to my studio to melt glass and relax. I usually listen to books while I am making beads, not to mention the music that I get from iTunes, it is a bit addictive… (I find unabridged books to listen to on my iPod at Audible which I love!!) My studio is my getaway that isn’t too far away and I am OH SO LUCKY to have it!! I am also VERY fortunate to have buyers for my beads and such! THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me through the last few years. I hope to be with you for many more!!!

Of course my kids are great artists too!

Need more? Make sure you check out my videos too! Click here or Here to watch me in action.