Meet Ann Wilbert | Lampwork Glass Bead Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ann Wilbert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ann, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
When people see handmade glass beads they usually have no idea about how they are made. They may have seen a glass blower at work and assume it is the same process only smaller. This is kind of true. A lampwork bead maker works with a torch to melt rods of glass about the width of a pencil and wind them around a steel mandrel, which becomes the hole in the bead. From there there is all sorts of mixing and manipulation that can be done. When a bead is finished, it is slipped into a kiln to anneal, and then slowly cool. Without this step, the bead will likely break from thermal shock.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Although my business is very modest, it means the world to me. I have come to a pretty happy balance of working on my art business, helping my husband with his business (construction), and doing a little bookkeeping for another artist/friend. I have come to understand that I am not interested in getting so busy with my art that I am trying to make the same thing over and over, and having a hard time keeping up. I do it as often as I can, because I love it so much. It is more like a constant exploration, or even experimentation each time that I light the torch and merge the elements of molten glass with fine silver. I have learned that a certain amount of time will need to be given to the business part of the art, but that’s okay as it feels good to keep things organized.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you could see where I live, you would laugh at this question. There is one thing that is not in short supply here where I live in north western Montana and that is beauty. I would take my friend on some hikes, paddle kayaks around on the Clark Fork, and prepare a good meal to eat here at home because the local bar food is not to die for. We would make the drive to an old cedar grove and walk under the huge old trees, or if it was winter, we would ski. The beauty here is outstanding, and it is where I get my inspiration, but it’s more relaxing than exciting.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shoutout to the Montana Artrepreneur Program or MAP for short. MAP is a program run by the Montana Arts Council that I was able to go through to learn about the business aspects of art. No artist really enjoys that side of being an artist – but it’s really important! Probably my most valuable take away from the program was finally thinking of myself as an artist, and having the support and friendship of a large community of Montana Artists.

Website: annwilbertdesigns.com

Instagram: ann_wilbert

Facebook: Ann Wilbert – Handmade Glass Bead Artist

Other: Etsy – annwilbertdesigns.etsy.com