Artists
Bev Butler
In 1979 a year after relocating from Canberra to Macksville on the mid north coast of New South Wales, Bev started work in her studio as a production potter. For 22 years she also worked for TAFE as a part time teacher.
Being told "You can't use a pottery kiln for glass" was enough to start Bev on another research path and so her love affair with glass began. Her 17 cu ft electric pottery kiln has worked efficiently on many production runs of glass plates.
While enjoying a glass painting workshop conducted by Deb Cocks in Eumundi, Bev became intrigued with the bead making class next door.
Bev's beadmaking started in 1998 on a Hothead with Cindy Jenkins's first book by her side. Lessons from Peter Minson followed and she was introduced to a minor burner. Just as Bev enjoyed the challenge of production pottery, she now enjoys spending several hours each day creating a run of beads. Bev's latest works include elecroformed components, some are assemblages made from a selection of glass pieces.
At times Bev creates pieces of jewellery. It's important and satisfying for her to see how her beads work as a finished piece, but her preference is the lampworking. Some of the pieces she creates are displayed at the Regional Gallery in Port Macquarie and her local artists' gallery, Valley Community Arts in Nambucca Heads, New South Wales.