Krista Wolff-Finl Currency

These are my final seven...

Krista Wolff-Some of my sample beads

These are some of my favorites and ones that I think turned out really well...

Picara~Final Currency

I posted my intent for this project in earlier posts, and feel I achieved my intent. I am pleased with my final pieces and had a lot of fun in the process. I changed my original idea of a cord to individual pinned pieces so that each would be able to exist on it's own, but I also think that multiple could be worn together. I really enjoyed this process, it is something that I will definetly pursue in the future.
I am also including some images I with props to enhance my intent.

Cassandra Alonzo--Final Pieces

My currency reflects a spiritual, simple civilization. My inspiration comes from Celtic Kru money, as well as wood rings and bone slices. The Celtic Kru money was thought to embody the spirits of the area, and I tried to reflect this idea. Each piece has a different color, reflecting different spirits they would contain, and the most valuable piece has all of the colors and therefore contains all of the spirits. I really enjoyed this process, and have learned so much in the past few weeks. I am excited to use this skills and some of my pieces in other classes, and I know I will be working with glass again in the future.

Additional Currency Pieces

New Sample Beads

Picara~process beads

Here is my final currency. I found the gold aventurine difficult to photograph accurately, but I think the idea comes across. I made many versions of these using different combinations of frits, stringers and enamel, and picked the series that made the most cohesive whole. The culture I imagine using this currency lead simple lives that free them from the desire to accumulate wealth, and use currency as a placeholder when goods or services need to be deferred, or for the pleasure of adornment.



These are the 50 best of the many attempts I made. I tried to experiment with color, shape and size. I really enjoyed the material and I hope to continue to work with my remaining glass in the next semester.

My final beads were inspired by a fictional culture that surrounded itself around life, and life forms, from a scientific perspective and genetic stand point. The beads represent the conjoining of two strands of DNA. The color progression from one end of the currency spectrum to the other, signifies both the joining and the currency value. Starting from the purple, black and white beads eventually leading up to the green, black and white beads, the value increases.
I enjoyed this project, and I feel like with a little bit more work, my torch skills will allow me to manipulate the material exactly how I want to.

Final Post and Images

Above are my beads I created. My culture is based on a love of nature and a genuine respect for it. I created my culture based off the oriental cultures that I researched. I am very happy with my beads though i would have loved to come up with a better way for the people of my culture to carry the currency. Heidi, thank you for a great two weeks. I had a lot of fun learning how you make glass beads and appreciate everything you have taught me.

Ashlyn A. Hurley Final Beads & Currency

The currency I chose to create was methodical and straight forward. Plain and simple. I modeled after a system that I figured would be easy to count and durable enough to be used. Some of my other beads went out and got a little more flashy, but I stick to the basics and enjoy the beauty of simplicity. 

Kristel Mach- Final Project

These are my final pendants based on a culture of people that live on an island in the sea. I used both size and amount of detail to determine value. I am really happy with the colors, I think that they represent the sea well. If I had more time I would have created more than just two or three of each of the seven pendants because there are a couple that I think could have looked better with more practice. I had a lot of fun with this process and I hope to be able to invest in my own setup soon. Thanks Heidi!

final post with final images

Above are my images that I have to upload at this time. I really enjoyed this class and wish we had more like them at our campus. Its a shame we dont have much access to glass working at UWM. I am really happy with how my beads/currency turned out. I preferr the wire that I used to twine or hemp because I feel that it would have taken away from the beads and the interest that the wire adds to all that is going on in each of my beads. Something like twine would have been thicker and too bulky in my mind. I also like the wire because it ties all the beads together even more than having them all the same shapes.

Heidi, Thank you so much for coming all the way out here to brave the winter in WI. I have been here three winters now, and still cant deal with it. I really enjoyed all that you brought to the class.

Final Currency

My 7 pieces of currency include 3 large rings (missing one, still cooling overnight) and 4 smaller rods which represent coins. My original idea was to make 7 round beads that fit inside each other but after doing some research and trial and error, I realized it probably wasnt going to happen. The 3 rings act as a holder for the 4 rods, similar to a nest with eggs. I'm excited to see everyone else's final project!!