Amy Kinsch, known for her Storm & Webbing Techniques…
AKD Lampwork Beads
Are you strictly a bead maker or do you also create sculptures or figurines?
So far it’s strictly beads, but you never know what the future holds.
Do you have a favorite style of lampwork beads, such as animals, perfectly placed dots, organic, etc?
Dots. I’m a dot freak. I can’t seem to stop myself either.
Do you remember the first time you saw a lampwork object? What was it? Did you want to learn how to lampwork as soon as you saw it?
It must have been on eBay. I would spend hours looking at all the shiny pretties. My husband had enough and took me out to buy a torch. He figured that I just might be able to make some myself.
What is your favorite color or color combination?
Any silver laden glass and dark ivory.
Do you have a favorite tool?
My tungsten pick. I’m not sure I could make a bead without it.
If you had unlimited resources, how far on the planet would you go to get a lampwork bead or sculpture that you wanted?
I rarely buy beads. In fact I could probably count the beads I’ve bought on one hand since I started making them myself. But I would probably go just about anywhere for some rare glass that I wanted.
Where do you hear about new techniques or see new beads?
The forums. I don’t purchase any magazines. I don’t go to any shows, and I rarely visit eBay anymore.
Did you learn how to lampwork by teaching yourself or from a friend or from a class or book?
I’m self taught.
Do you ever visit lampwork forums? If so, is it for the social aspect, to see the beads being posted, or to learn a new technique?
I do visit forums daily. Mostly to keep up with the latest on new glass or tools coming out. I’ve also made quite a few friends there as well.
Other than lampwork what else do you enjoy doing?
I own a rubber stamp business so that keeps me fairly busy. I used to do a lot of traveling going to rubber stamp shows, but I didn’t like being away from home, so I’ve stopped doing that. I guess I could say that I enjoy being home. I even have time to do some stamping myself now.
What is the hardest technique you have ever attempted, ie florals, implosions?
I’m sticking with the “dots” answer on this one. It’s what I love to do, but it’s also probably one of the hardest things to do well. There is always room for improvement and total perfection is pretty hard to achieve.
What is the next technique you would like to learn?
I’m not sure. Nothing is calling to me just yet. I’m happy just doing what I’m doing right now.
Do you love your wonkie beads as much as your other ones?
No. They go in the garbage can. My husband often retrieves them, and I throw them right back.
Amy Kinsch
AKD Lampwork Beads






































