I originally come from the beautiful islands of the Phillipines and migrated to Sydney Australia in 1987.
I'm known to my friends and family as Rifie. Yep, that's my nickname.
I've been making custom jewellery for 2 years and I've been lampworking/glass beadmaking for about 1 1/2 years. I'm passionate about sculptural work.
I've been very fortunate in my journey as I've been taught by famous lampwork Aussie artist named Kathryn Wardill (beginners and intermediate classes), Brenda Coleman (introduction to beadmaking and hollows and vessels) and just recently Bernard Stonnor (implosion techniues, sculptural work and a view in basic murrini construction). I've also been indirectly taught by overseas artist via their books (Jim Kervin and his book series, Corrina Tettinger), DVD (Marilyn Peraza).
I'm a self representing artist. I'm a member of both SRA H74(overseas) and an active member of the SRA/ANZ member number 80 (Australia & New Zealand). Some of my accomplishments include: 1) being featured as a Lampwork Babe in The Annealer Magazine website, May 2007; 2) an article I wrote about a fellow aussie artist, Kerry Harper, has now been featured on the AGBG (Australian Glassbeadmakers Guild) website, 3) some of my beads have been chosen in The Gallery of Flame for the AGBG and 4) the article I co-wrote with Barbara Robinson, AGBG founder, about the glass revolution in Australia and NZ has been published in print for The Annealer Magazine Summer issue 2007.
I trade under the name: rifiezkritterz
on ebay.
I've resigned from my full-time job as a registered nurse on 30 May 2007. One of my the main reason is so that I can focus spend more time with my family and on my glass (lampwork).
Thanks to my very supportive hubby Anthony. He believes in me. Although not yet blessed with human kids, we have x2 four legged kids named Bong (black chow chow) & Rhys (english springer spaniel) hehehe
Please check my Photos for gallery of my art work. I welcome constructive criticisms. I will be posting beads for sale soon.
One of the picture above, is painted by my dear Ameri-mate Dee Landerman. Dee custom made it for me on March 2007. You can contact Dee on deeart7@cox.net
