My name is Mindy Macgregor. I live just outside of Edinburgh in Scotland with my husband and 3 dogs and 2 tanks of fish.  I have always been inclined towards creating things.  I paint and draw whenever I’m not making beads and also sew and make silver jewellery for myself and for friends and family.  I began lampworking 2 years ago after getting a basic kit for a Christmas present from my husband as I could never find the beads I wanted to compliment the jewellery I was making at the time.  I liked the lampwork so much I quickly dropped the jewellery making.  I have a workshop in a little Victorian wash house that we converted over a year ago solely for beadmaking.

I am self taught and learned through using books and online resources as well as advice from other lampworkers who very kindly answered lots of my newbie questions.  In particular I should say that John Watt helped me greatly in understanding the safety aspects of lampworking, there is a lot to learn on this subject when beginning and I cannot over estimate the importance of this knowledge.

I started out with a hot head torch which is a good introduction and then when I wanted more heat, I moved up to the set up I have now of a minor torch with 2 oxycons which is a much hotter flame that opens up a whole new world of techniques.

I make my beads from soft glasses such as Moretti, Vetrofond and Lauscha.  Lately, there have been many new glasses introduced that have expanded the colour palette available.  These glasses compliment the basic colours but are most often 3 or 4 times more expensive.  When I’m pricing my beads I take into account the cost of the glass that I used for them which is why the prices vary not only depending on the size of the set or the bead.

I have a paragon kiln and put my beads in directly from the torch to anneal overnight.  Annealing is vital as beads that are not annealed can crack very very easily and can completely ruin a piece of jewellery as well as being unsafe.

Lampworking is my full time obsession.  I originally enjoyed making organic beads but gradually drifted towards more designed patterns.  I love colour and shape and the simplification of forms.  I am inspired hugely by nature as well as Japanese prints and all things retro!  I love the art deco, art nouveau era as well as the seventies.  I have vivid memories of just how crazy the colour schemes were back then and they are permanently burnt into my mind!  I think having a bedroom with purple patterned walls and a bright orange carpet influenced me!!

I had to make the decision at the end of last year not to accept orders or commissions as I got into a situation where I was making orders 90% of the time and never working on anything new and it became really debilitating.  I had a notebook full of ideas and no time to try them and therefore nothing new to offer for large amounts of time.  

I am currently investigating the possibility of offering tutoring after many requests, there is a lot to consider and I will update the site when I have gathered more information.  I want to be absolutely certain that I can offer the type of lesson that people want in a safe and comfortable environment and that my lessons would meet all current safety procedures.

Cheers!

Mindy x

Contact me at mindy@moogin.com