A selection of Claudia Blevins work
Claudia Blevins creates fused glass and lampwork beads which she then turns into hand-crafted jewelry.
Fused glass is made by cutting, shaping and layering flat glass and then melting it in a kiln until it becomes one piece. These then become pendants, earrings, ornaments, and more. Lampwork (sometimes called torchwork) involves melting glass rods in an open torch flame using gravity and shaping tools to form beads, which she then uses to make jewelry and small decorative pieces.
In addition to her jewelry, she embellishes items with her handmade beads, such as serving pieces, wine stoppers, pens and key chains. She also provides a new life for broken china by transforming it into hand-soldered jewelry.
“I have always been very intrigued by color and how it plays in light. So, I naturally became interested in stained glass as an art. I took classes and began my journey into glass as a passion. I made stained glass my hobby for many years and eventually discovered glass fusing. It was a short jump from there to torchwork. Although I dabble in many kinds of art, this has become my main medium,” she says.
Blevins was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, and has always been interested in art. She attended East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, and majored in art. She married and moved to Abingdon, Virginia, where she raised three children, worked as a school secretary and kept her art as a hobby.
She retired in 2015 and found she needed an outlet to sell her creations. She found A Work of Art Gallery and Gifts, Bristol, Tennessee.
“ I chose this gallery because it is a co-op consisting of all local artists and artisans and is community oriented. I have found wonderful friends who have like interests and have helped me along on my artistic journey with their encouragement and expertise. I also like the idea that this gallery has a mission of making fine art available in our community at reasonable prices. We do not have employees. All aspects of our gallery are run solely by our artist members. We are currently working to expand our name in Bristol and make our gallery a place where everyone is welcome to see, buy and enjoy quality art and one of a kind artisan made pieces.
“I spend much time making the glass components for my pieces and in the design and workmanship. I strive to make my pieces durable and easy to wear as well as attractive. I try to use the best raw materials I can, while also keeping them reasonable in price. My biggest happiness is in finding that someone will love my pieces, take them home and wear or use them with joy,” she says.
