A O K Beads     Handmade Glass Lampwork Beads   Anita Okada first became interested in beads in 2000 when she met a lampworker at an art show in Toronto. Since then, she has been collecting beads and making jewelery. Eventually, in 2003, she decided to make her own glass beads and set up a studio in her home. Since then, Anita has been selling her beads throughout Ontario and the United States. A OK Beads has juried in and exhibited at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibit, and the CACY show in Caledon East. Handmade glass lampwork beads are made by melting either soda lime or borosilicate glass onto stainless steel mandrels. Once the glass has been melted, the glass can be manipulated into various shapes and designs using tools, layers of glass, and various techniques such as dots, stringers, stripes, foils, and so on. There are many unique ways to make lampwork beads and each lampworker has their own techniques and style. Once the lampworker is satisfied with their bead, the bead is placed in a kiln to be annealled to prevent breaking and cracks. To contact Anita, e-mail her at AOKBeads@aol.com