The Little Glass House

​Email: info@thelittleglasshouse.com
​Web: www.thelittleglasshouse.com.au
​Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelittleglasshouse
​Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelittleglasshousebeads


Meet The maker!


​Where is your creative work taking you in 2020 and beyond?
I have always wanted to try teaching and sharing my skills with others. In the past I have done a few demonstrations and free trials with customers. However recently I got the opportunity to open up my own open studio where I can run workshops and classes. So far so good and I am enjoying the teaching side of my job just at much as the creating. I love to inspire others to try something new and reach out to their creative side.

What is your dream project?
My dream project would be to train an apprentice from scratch. Not only teach them the art of glass bead making but also other aspects of the business such as photography, social media, creating a website and selling to shops and galleries. I would love to give this opportunity to someone who is in real need of a job that calms the soul.
​

How long have you been making your jewellery?
I have been working with glass since 2006 but have only started to properly sell and brand my product this year in 2016 after my second child was born.
 
How did you get started?
Back in 2006, I was lucky enough to be living very close to a small art school in Sydney, that offered evening classes. One of those classes was "Making Glass Beads".  I was intrigued, to say the least and signed up for a 6 week course. I loved it so much, that over time I have began to invest in some tools and equipment. I practiced whenever I had the chance and I began making gifts for friends and relatives.

I moved to Canada in 2009 and lived there for 2 years. As the weather was so cold I found I was restricted to the house more so than my time in Sydney. However this promoted me to practice and work on my glass skills. Now, 10 years on, my skills have developed, I have started to sell my beads and jewellery. 

 
What is your greatest inspiration?
I love working with colours and trying to group colours together in an non conventional way. I also love experimenting with shapes and seeing the endless possibilities that you can create with glass.
 
What is the greatest challenge to owning and operating your own business?
My greatest challenge is time. There is never enough of it. Especially as I have two young children to take care of and one them is under school age. Its a constant juggling act, but luckily I have a very supportive husband to help out and my children are great at going to be early so I can work in the evenings as well.
 
What is the best thing about owning you own creative business?
Being able to do what I love and fit it around the family. Also having the opportunity to experiment and try new things. 

​My name is Ursula Bates and I create designer lampwork glass beads for use in jewellery designs. All of my beads are made in my studio in Nambour, Queensland, and they are properly annealed in a digitally controlled kiln for strength and durability. My beads are of the highest quality and are made with patience, precision, skill and a genuine love of working with hot glass.
 
Back in 2006, I was lucky enough to be living very close to a small art school in Sydney, that offered evening classes. One of those classes was "Making Glass Beads".  I was intrigued, to say the least and signed up for a 6 week course. I loved it so much, that over time I have began to invest in some tools and equipment. I practiced whenever i had the chance and I began making gifts for friends and relatives. 
 
Now, 15 years on, my skills have developed, I have started to sell my beads and jewellery as well as run classes and workshops from my studio in Nambour. When I'm not doing bead-related shenanigans I am mum to two children and can be found tending to my vegetable garden and chickens, as well as drinking copious amounts of tea. I also enjoy indoor rock climbing, downhill skateboarding, bike riding, surfing, soccer and the great outdoors. 

Exhibitions and Events planned for 2020:​ Annual Show & Tell Event Open Studio:​A chance to buy discounted beads to create your own designs as well as ​watch glass demonstrations and free trials. This is a free event and open to ​the public.
​October 2020: Date TBC. Keep your eyes on Ursula's Facebook page to find out more about workshops and markets you can find her at.
​Location: Ursula runs an Open Studio Located at The Old Ambulance Station, 80 Howard Street, Nambour QLD 4560