The Artists: Angie Polonich & Jade McClendon

We started lampworking in 2002 when Angie got talked into taking a bead class. After previous dabblings in rustic wood projects and stained glass, she decided to give it a shot. The class was taught at Fusion Stained Glass. As soon as Angie got home, we had to have it all and tomorrow isn’t good enough; it needed to be, well, yesterday. We were set up with MAPP gas and a crock pot filled with vermiculite at the kitchen table. It wasn’t near fast enough for Angie, but then again, her motto is ‘Go big or go home’. Not long after, we had the large propane and oxygen tanks and 2 kilns. Now, a few years later, we have five torches, three minor burners, two Carlisle torches/flamethrowers, two large oxygen tanks, a generator and tremendous concentration between the two of us. Heaven forbid if beads go out of style.

Angie has recently left her part-time job to be on The Torch full time (seemingly more than that at times) and she just doesn’t seem to get enough. Often, we wake up in the middle of the night to see what our beads look like from the day. We just can’t wait! We always pray there’s a little fairy out there that will come and take the beads off the mandrels and drill them out – but it never happens. Grandpa is great at drilling when he visits and Dad can do it too (but it never happens LOL) and Goldie drills Angie’s beads when we’re in Calgary to visit, but never Jades’. Unless he wants something in return. Goldie is very supportive of Jades' bead endeavors.

Angie invites clients over to see the studio (and what a studio it is!), join in a coffee or wine (even better), share and enjoy the never-ending inspiration. Sometimes she doesn’t make many beads but, luckily she can call Jade in Edmonton and make sure she is on The Torch. And yes, we do dream in vivid Technicolor!

In a tiny one-bedroom apartment, Jade has an amazing view of the river right downtown. With huge windows and lots of inspiration, the only problem is she doesn’t get the interaction with people and many days, she doesn’t leave the house. Jade has a few ‘other little jobs’ that get her out; she works at an amazing boutique in Sherwood Park called Bella Maas (check out their website as it’s a great shop); she demo’s fragrances for Riviera Concepts and Alfred Sung products around Christmas. Summertime she’s at the golf course working and training for her busy tournament schedule. During summer, Angie is pretty stuck to hold down the fort. We are currently working on getting Lauren on The Torch as well – that would help so much!

We have read several books and one that really suits us and our personal style is by Corrina Tettinger called ‘Passing the Flame’.