WAIMEA — There was a steady stream of customers past the table containing a variety of brightly-colored beads. Ute Wilson, of Los Osos, Calif., is the creator of the items that caught people’s eyes, and, upon closer examination, many mulled
WAIMEA — There was a steady stream of customers past the table containing a variety of brightly-colored beads.
Ute Wilson, of Los Osos, Calif., is the creator of the items that caught people’s eyes, and, upon closer examination, many mulled the items for purchase at the reasonable prices.
Wilson said she’s been here for several weeks now, staying with a friend in Hanapepe, and decided she would come out to the Waimea Craft Fair where she could display her wares.
Wilson said she uses Pyrex glass rods as a starting point, and uses a torch for the flamework, adding metallic oxides for the colors before encasing everything in clear glass for the resulting glass beads.
Many of her beads were strung through with cording, and some being complimented by metal chains.
But, Wilson’s pride are the people figures made with several beads strung together.
In California, Wilson said she makes figures that go as high as four feet. “Those are the ‘Galaxy Dolls,’” she said.
“I was just passing through here,” Wilson says while her fingers continue to assemble jewelry. “I make the beads one at a time using a torch.”
Wilson said she’s been doing this type of work for the past 20 years.
“I was self taught,” she said. “Originally, I was trying to melt glass to canvas for an effect. But, I never went back to canvas.”
Wilson, a regular at the Waimea Craft Fair, will have the week off due to the Waimea Town Celebration.
She said the only way people can see the items is at the Waimea Craft Fair, or they can contact her through e-mail at utegalaxygirl@yahoo.com.
Wilson’s tentative itinerary has her here until March 28, but she says she’s already trying to change that schedule.
Jessica Fuller, tending a table behind Wilson’s, said her mom Leslie Fuller handles the weekly gathering in the shadow of the old Waimea sugar mill.
Fuller’s offerings include a wide range of items, including T-shirts, beadwork, jewelry, woodcraft, and an assortment of albums.
The Waimea Craft Fair is usually open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, but, this week, they’ll take some time off due to the celebration.
“But, I’ll be there (at the celebration), enjoying,” Jessica Fuller said with a smile.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
