MASTERS: GLASS BEADS

The art of glass beadmaking has exploded in popularity during the past decade—and these awe-inspiring examples, exquisitely fashioned by 40 of the world’s top creators, reveal exactly why. Whether showcasing faces, animals, or flowers, these beads exhibit incredible detail and gorgeous color. Explore Bruce St. John Maher’s fused and faceted landscape beads and the vitreous painted surface of Bronwen Heilman’s glass. Kate Fowle Meleny’s luminous electroformed glass beads seem almost like sculptures, while Sharon Peters creates whimsical, often comical creatures that delight. Every artist receives a lavish eight-page feature with approximately a dozen high-quality images of his or her most impressive work, along with a bio and personal commentary that provides insights into the motivations and inspiration behind each piece.