There is nothing Zen-like about it. I'm transported but not in a spiritual way. Today Byerly pursues her craft in a small backyard studio. A small kiln stands ready for completed beads to be annealed and gradually cooled. To make a simple bead, the artistan wraps molten glass around a thin, stainless steel rod.
Intricate beads require a great deal more work.
The work demands not only good coordination but total focus in order to keep the stainless steel rod in motion and the molten glass moving in and out of the flame so it doesn't get too hot or too cold. I think I could do this for a lifetime and only scratch the surface.