Handcrafted Lampwork Beads

 My name is Toni Menk and I am a Glass Beadmaker. I make beads in my studio on South Fork Ridge in Casey County Kentucky. 

Upcoming 2008 Shows:

Main Street Festival April 25-26 Franklin TN

Mayfest- May 10-11 - Grantz Park- Lexington KY

Francisco Farm -June 21-22 Midway KY

I started making beads after attending the ISGB (International Society of Glass Beadmakers) 2003 Gathering in Lowell Mass. as a guest of my sister ,Judi Emerman of Judi's Jewels, The last day of the event I bought a "Starter Kit". After a short lesson on bead making basics, I drove eight hours from my sister's house near Cleveland, to my home in Kentucky, set up my "hot head" torch and started making beads. The sun went down, the sun came up and I was still making beads!

At the time I was an organic farmer selling vegetables at the Lexington Kentucky Farmer's Market, working my self to death. Bead making let my express my creative side, they don't spoil and weigh less than cantaloupes. I spent less and less time in the garden and more and more time on the torch. The weeds took my garden and my life took a radical turn.

The first year I lived on the torch. I took classes from Bonnie Blincoe and Katy Abbott and studied beadmaking books and technique forums on the internet.

In 2004 I started doing craft and bead shows, including the ISGB Bead Bazaar. In 2005 I was juried into the Sheltowee Artisans and in 2006 was accepted into KGAC (Kentucky Guild of Craftsmen and Artist)

In 2007 I was chosen to participate as one of twelve bead artist in the ISGB Booth at the Buyers Market of American Crafts Show in Philadelphia.