Wendy Maurer has spent the last year relearning how to create her colourful glass bead art.

SheB次元官网网址檚 been making her creations since 2006, but needed to learn to adjust after she began experiencing tremors in her left hand due to ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚.

When she taught, the first thing she would say to a student is B次元官网网址測ou need two steady handsB次元官网网址� but sheB次元官网网址檚 learned thatB次元官网网址檚 not necessarily the case.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 been my biggest challenge this year,B次元官网网址� Maurer said. B次元官网网址淎fter I first of all thought, B次元官网网址榳ell I canB次元官网网址檛 do this anymoreB次元官网网址�, then I realized how important it is for me to have that creative outlet in my life.B次元官网网址�

Maurer uses movement to shape the beads, which begin as coloured glass rods.

She holds a rod in the flame, and as it melts she rolls it onto a steel rod, using gravity and the heat to shape it. There are also tools such as molds that can help shape the glass.

B次元官网网址淚 teach people from scratch, so theyB次元官网网址檙e not dependent on the tools,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淪o they learn how the glass wants to move. Because once you know that, you can create any shape.B次元官网网址�

She gets plenty of inspiration from other artists, customer requests and the ocean.

B次元官网网址淚 like ocean-themed beads,B次元官网网址� Maurer said. B次元官网网址淚 like bright colours, I canB次元官网网址檛 stay away from bright colours.B次元官网网址�

MaurerB次元官网网址檚 glass art is on display permanently at Qualicum Art Supply and Gallery (206 First Ave W) and includes many colourful pieces completed since she adjusted to the tremors with new techniques.

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Her new display has been a catalyst for her to get back to her torch and patiently figure out how to work with her tremors, she said. Persistence in trying out new techniques has been key.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a really interesting experience for me, right, because part of ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 is apathy,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淎nd I found it was really easy just to sit in my recliner in the living room and look out at the ocean and listen to audio books, but thatB次元官网网址檚 not healthy if thatB次元官网网址檚 all youB次元官网网址檙e doing.B次元官网网址�

A little movement goes a long way. She starts her day by heading into the studio to check on yesterdayB次元官网网址檚 work and bring it into the kitchen for cleaning.

B次元官网网址淛ust that amount of movement, IB次元官网网址檝e found, benefits my ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚,B次元官网网址� Maurer said.

Maurer said she is fortunate to have supportive friends B次元官网网址� one circle of glass bead-making friends bought her a thick leather apron, for safety.

She also keeps a bottle of lavender oil handy (cap loosened) since the flame is approximately 1,400 C.

Another group of friends gave her a long-handled electric lighter for her torch she can use easily, instead of matches.

B次元官网网址淲hen my tremors get really bad, then I just take my hand out of the flame and my glass out of the flame,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎nd I transfer it to the other hand B次元官网网址� and I breathe deep.B次元官网网址�

It has taken a great deal of practice to relearn her craft. Her fingers gained muscle memory from years of learning and creating.

B次元官网网址淭he trick now is to relearn how to work with a hand that has a mind of its own B次元官网网址� and it doesnB次元官网网址檛 talk to me,B次元官网网址� she said.

Since ParkinsonB次元官网网址檚 is a progressive disease, Maurer says she will need to continue adapting.

When her tremors first started, they used to stop when she began to move her fingers.

B次元官网网址淚t doesnB次元官网网址檛 do that anymore. So IB次元官网网址檓 adapting my work station. IB次元官网网址檓 constantly adapting as the tremors change. IB次元官网网址檓 just praying the right hand doesnB次元官网网址檛 start,B次元官网网址� she said with a laugh.

Before the tremors, she could make as many as 18 large pendant type beads in a full day. Now that she has to concentrate so much more, she might make three or four.

Maurer has tried a variety of art forms over the years, but said it was not until she reached a certain skill level in glass working that she began to think of herself as an artist.

B次元官网网址淚 never dreamt IB次元官网网址檇 be an artist, but I totally love working with glass,B次元官网网址� she said.