Meet your instructor - Aja Vaz of Wandering Design Spirits
Now in my 20th year of lampworking, my love of hollows and abstract organic style has become a mainstay in my work. Moving cross country multiple times throughout my career has shaped my working technique and aesthetic. Teaching myself to use puffy mandrels early on cemented my love of blown beads. Being stationed by the ocean was a sensory experience that had verdigris and green constantly popping up in my work. Since we had a weight limit to our household goods, my supplies were lean and I learned to make the most of what I had. Instead of fighting what some might consider a lack of choices, this helped distill my palette and made it easier to make most of the work coordinating. Once I made the leap to mostly off-mandrel, I was asked to do the Bead and Button Commemorative Bead in 2018. That same year, Katie Hacker hosted me on her show: ‘Beads, Baubles, and Jewels’ through PBS. I’ve now made a permanent studio in central Massachusetts USA, where this rolling stone will finally start gathering moss.
See more of Aja Vaz's work at Wandering Design Spirits