* as in xylophone, not to be confused with xenophobia.
Welcome to The Xaz Bead Company web site!
If you’re looking for unusual, one-of-a-kind beads to embellish your work, my raku beads and centerpieces will set your creations apart, making them truly unique. Each bead is hand formed and stamped or impressed with an image by my assistant, Amy Stanton, or me. Most of the designs were inspired from symbols of past cultures throughout the ancient world. The faces were inspired by a favorite artist of mine, Lillian Revere, of Puerto Rico. The Adinkra symbols were borrowed from the Ashanti tribe of Ghana. I felt a kinship with the stories they told.
But the true magic happens in the fire!
The Japanese call it Raku Yaki, joy fire. I’ve often described it as "doing a dance with the clay." After putting the pieces in a pre-heated kiln until the glaze melts, I immerse the ware in wood chips, pine needles, or paper and cover until the pieces cool.. The smoke and absence of oxygen create myriad hues. The smoke creeps into the cracks of the gloss glazes, often creating amazing patterns. I never know exactly how the pieces will come out.
So when you buy my beads, you may be as surprised and pleased with the result as we are when we make them!
Our mailing list is kept strictly confidential and never sold. It is simply to inform you of our promotions and special offers.
