Deborah Glasser
Meet the Designer-Artist
Where do you live?
I live in the foothills of the San Jacinto mountains in Southern California.
What inspires you as a designer-artist?
I get my inspiration from everywhere. Nature, animals, and man's handy works ie: architecture, science from the whole world around me.
What materials do you most enjoy working with?
My main medium is bead embroidery with gemstones and seed beads.
Why did you become enchanted with this style of jewelry-making?
I fell in love with bead embroidery back when I was making dresses for weddings and formal functions. Jewelry seemed like a natural next step. Began with earrings and progressed. I found Fire Mountain Gems and was inspired by the designs I saw there. That was 9 years ago. Now I'm a full time beader and designer.
What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
What inspired this design?
Just like it says, rain came to the desert. Not too often do we get these great downpours. The land and animals come alive. Colors are everywhere. The mountains bloom, the poppies and cactus flowers become a new world. For a short time everything rejoices. The blue sky dots with silver grey clouds. Rainbows appear. We all breathe the sweet smell of the life giving water from the heavens.
How did it come together?
It was 2 years in the making. I loved the ruby in fuchsite when I saw it and quickly had the idea for the collar. Many changes and many false starts later I received the large red faceted cabochon in a batch of mixed cabs in an FMG order. I knew then I was working in gemstones and in reds. The sky opened up and rain fell in the desert here and I was on the way to adding garnets, an old pair of earrings. I took a chance on twisted fringe. That took some time to perfect but I think I love it. The way light and color play in the twists can be shaded and adds depth.
Tell us about your causes. What inspires you to donate your bead(s) to Circle of Hope?
In 2007, I battled breast cancer. In remission now. Lost my Mother and Aunt and a very dear friend. This is a cause close to my heart. We need to beat this and wipe it out.