Kim demonstrating for the Society of Glass Beadmakers Nor Cal.

Kimberley Rosaleen Osibin has loved beads all her life, she has been collecting beads since the age of 12. In 1983 her love of personal adornment blossomed into a career, as she became a jewelry fabricator and designer.

In 1992 at the beginning of the contemporary movement, Kim learned the art of flameworking and began making glass beads. For many years she and her former partner were the only two glass artists creating representational floral forms on flameworked glass beads. Kim developed many of the techniques in use and is a major influence on the contemporary movement.

Kim decorates her beads in a style she describes as "painting with molten glass". She creates delicate multi-colored canes of glass, which are used to embellish a bead with her signature designs featuring flowers, vines and branches. She expresses in her work feminine intuition, spirituality and the beauty of nature. Kim works primarily with Effetre and Vetro Fond glass. She creates amazing depth in her beads by incorporating powdered glass, copper, gold, silver, palladium, reduction frit, mica flakes, enamel powders, and dichroic glass. She makes many of her own colors as she actively works to expand the palette.

Kim served as Vice President/ Acting President/ Conference Coordinator of the Society of Glass Beadmakers in its fledgling year. Her diversified work with the Society included organizing the first annual Gathering and acting as art director for the first catalog of member’s work.

Kim began teaching glass beadmaking in 1994. She has taught thousands of students nationwide. Kim is currently on the faculties of the Mendocino Art Center and  Bead Expo. Her classes are rated among the best available.

In 1998 Kim participated in the first European museum show of American glass beadmakers. Artist’s chosen are among the finest in their field and show the diversity of the craft. Kim demonstrated at the Glass Museum in Ebeltoft, Denmark, during the opening and in 1999 at the show’s third location, The Bornholm Art Museum. That year Kim taught her first international workshop at the prestigious Bornholm School of Glass in Denmark.

In 2000 Kim traveled to Venice, Italy, where she participated in the first open torch event on Murano. Kim visited the Effetre glass factory with Mike and Pat Frantz, where she was honored to participate in the selection of eight vintage colors of Effetre glass to be reproduced.

Kim acted as a consultant for the 2002 International Bead Expo. She was instrumental in the development of the curriculum for the symposium and selected the artists to give presentations including the keynote speaker.

September 2001 Kim realized a long time dream, returning to Venice with her tour Create glass beads in Venice, Italy!  Participants attended the first workshop offered by an American glass beadmaker on the island of Murano. The class has Venetian’s and American’s working together creating an exchange of ideas and styles. Create glass beads in Venice, Italy! offers a unique glassworkers experience of Venice, the tour is offered each September.

During her visits to Murano Kim was honored to assist Maestro flameworker Lucio Bubacco in the creation of some of his amazing figurative pieces. For Kim working with the Venetian Maestros has brought a new understanding of the composition and working of glass.

In autumn 2002 Kim began designing tools for the glass beadmaker.  The Osibin Forming Series was designed to easily create some of the more difficult bead shapes Kim is known for.  To create the tools Kim went to tool maker extraordineire Craig Milliron of Arrow Springs.  The first three tools debuted at The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show February 2003 and have fast become best sellers.  This year three more tools were added to the line.  Currently six Osibin Forming tools are in production by Arrow Springs and are available on the market.

Kim branched out again in the spring of 2003 when she was asked to design beads and teach advanced techniques for a factory in Italy.  Kim is now working with a group of Venetian glass beadmakers  to bring her unique designs to the U.S. market.  Her high quality Venetian glass beads are available for the jewelry designer at veneziabeads.com November 2004.

This spring Kim’s original jewelry featuring her handmade glass beads debut at the Veccia Murano Gallery in Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy. She spends several months a year in Venice, Italy working with Venetian glassworkers. Her love for the city, culture and its glass history has become her passion.

In an effort to enhance her skills as a glassworker and instructor, Kim has studied flameworking, blowing, fusing, montage and stained glass. She continues to expand her knowledge of glass. Kim is dedicated to sharing her creativity and knowledge with others.

 

To contact Kim call 415-259-7626 or e-mail kim@flameworkedbeads.com