I’m LUCKY to have had CANCER!!
WOW, what a weird thing to say, but it’s true!! I would never have had time to take a
beginning bead class from Glass Act, if I’d not gotten breast cancer. My name is Sherrie
Venghaus and this is how I got started…
In 2000, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and in 2001, while I was finishing up my
treatments, I met Marjorie Frazier, (MY VERY BEST FRIEND). She had also just been
diagnosed and like to peas in a pod, we bonded.
We started out making bracelets for breast cancer awareness to raise funds for the
American Cancer Society. Then, one day, Marjorie took a class from Glass Act on Fusing
from Suzette and was naturally hooked. She instantly thought of how she could make ribbons on fused pendants.
While I was not interested in fusing, Marjorie told me that Glass Act also taught Lampworking. Now that was
something I’ve always been interested in but would not have taken the time to try before. Now, nothing was going
to hold me back and my first goal was to make ribbon beads. Oh how sad my first beads were with their little
ribbons. But not for long! I became an instant glass addict and craved to do more with my torch. It’s truly
fascinating to watch the glass melt and form and react with the flame.
My love now is sculptural lampwork. I like to make whimsical animals, especially cats, and I’m always trying to do
something different. I believe my patience for detail work comes from working with my mother in the family
business, Polly’s Concrete Products. My mother taught me that the detail work is what makes a piece worth while
and desirable to others. She’s right and she’s my best critic and inspiration on a lot of my pieces.
I hope my work will make you smile and that you become as awed as I am at what a rod of glass can become in
the fire of a torch.
Please visit us at our web site www.casadecristal.net and be sure to stop in at Glass Act to see where it all began.
Maybe you’ll find your passion as well!
By the way, I now teach advanced bead making at Glass Act Studios, so be sure to check their class schedule for
a time and date that works well for you. Hope to see you soon!
