In issue 3.5 of Australian Beading US flameworker James Yaun visits Adelaide’s Jam Factory
By Lorraine Allan
I’ve enjoyed working with glass and metals over the years, but one of the big advantages of working in this field is the wonderful artists I have met and the friendships I have formed.
I met James Yaun in 2005 when we were both vendors at the Bead Mercantile Show in Cincinnati, Ohio. While we both make our glasswork over the open flame of a torch, I make lampwork beads using what is termed as a "soft" glass. James’s amazing pendants and orbs are created with a "hard" glass known as borosilicate.
James resides in the mountains of North Carolina and his work is well known throughout North America. He combines the technique of gold and silver fuming in his pieces, giving his creations a unique and rich finish.
In June this year, the World of Marbles gallery in Tasmania invited James to work in their studio, teaching and demonstrating his work. Of course he wasn’t able to leave Australia without first coming to Adelaide to visit me!
I organised an evening for James to demonstrate his technique of creating his vortex orbs at the Jam Factory Glass Workshop here in Adelaide, where he attracted an audience of over 80 people all keen to see him work his magic at the flame.
To see more of James’s delicious eye candy, visit his website at
