After a lifetime of creativity with no real direction, I found myself drawn to the world of glass beadmaking. I had always loved jewelry making but eventually I grew tired of the mass-produced beads found in hobby and craft stores. The quality was iffy at best, there was no real variety, and the designs just had no soul. I was also disheartened to learn that many of the beads on the market were made under unhealthy conditions, often by child labor.

I've always been one to buy the supplies and a book then teach myself but I just wasn't comfortable enough with the technical aspects of beadmaking. I was so fortunate to find my first instructor in nearby Chattanooga, TN. I didn't know it at the time but Marjorie Langston is one of the most respected beadmaking instructors in the art. At the end of my weekend under her guidance in her studio, she felt I had a knack for making beads and encouraged me to continue classes, workshops, and retreats whenever possible. Not only is Marjorie my mentor, but she is now a very dear friend.

Unlike other creative attempts, I never tired of the torch. I made hundreds of beads for two years as I learned to make them balanced and well-decorated with properly made holes. Two years passed before I was comfortable enough with the quality of my work to sell my first beads. I can still remember the absolute thrill of my first sale.

Hale Fire Glass was born out of the need for more room for me to do my glass work. I had outgrown the screened porch at home so I searched for a bigger place to rent. I found a wonderful building in Madison's historic district and set up shop there in 2006, expecting to work nights and weekends. Two weeks later and with my husband's encouragement, I quit my "real" job to make this my full-time job. It didn't take long to build a base of loyal customers -- many are now my friends. I've never worked harder or longer hours, nor have I ever felt such satisfaction.

In addition to making beads and designing jewelry, I now teach beadmaking in my studio as well as travel extensively to hold classes. Teaching venues have included John C. Campbell Folk School, Tennessee Tech's Appalachian Center for Craft, the Alabama Folk School, and the west coast of Ireland.

I am a proud member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers. I served as the Southeast Regional Director for two years and am currently serving on the Board of Directors as the Director of Membership.

I live in Madison, Alabama with my husband, S.A., our son, Trey, two Maine Coon cats, YoYo and Midi, and an Australian Shepherd, Shadow.

Thank you for taking time to visit this site and learn more about me, my business and my passion.

Terry