My job title: I am an editor and writer and own McKenzie Bookworks. I've had three children's books published, and I'm writing my next one.

Describe in a sentence or two your art: I make glass beads. Each bead is handmade in the torch using canes of Italian and German glass, melted onto a steel rod. Layers of glass are twisted, coaxed, dotted, "painted" and warmed until the shape and design are complete. The bead is then placed in a kiln to release the stress from the glass and strengthen the bead.

How long have you been working in this discipline? I discovered glass bead making about seven years ago.

Why do you do it? I do it because working in the flame, watching the glass melt and the designs taking shape, is simply mesmerizing. Taking a solid, turning it to a liquid and back again is pretty hot stuff.

What do you hope to accomplish? There is a huge glass movement in this country and beyond. We all hope to make glass objects that will be a treasure and a delight to someone.

Do you create your art with an exact message you want the viewer to receive, and, if yes, what is that message? Not really. Although my Gaia beads (Mother Nature) are popular. (You can attribute any meaning you like to that!)

Where do you want to be with your art, in terms of part-time versus full-time status, art positions and where your works are seen? I think full time is too demanding. I prefer to create as the need arises. I've tried making glass beads on an order basis, and boy, did that take the joy out of it!

I do offer glass-beadmaking classes in my studio. That's a blast! It's fun watching a student melt glass for the first time, learn how to "paint" on the bead with other colors of glass and take home a solid piece of art.

What kind of special training did you take? I discovered I could teach myself how to do this using videos and books. After I got brave enough to light the torch, there was no going back! There are some wonderful glass teachers now, and I've been able to work with a few.

What is the favorite part of your endeavors? I love to head to my studio, turn on the music, pick out my glass and sit at the torch.

What is the least favorite part? Waiting. Once the bead is complete, it goes into the kiln. The high temperature allows the glass to move and realign on a molecular level, thereby releasing stress from the glass and strengthening it. That takes five-plus hours.

How many hours a day, or, if more appropriate, a week do you spend on your work? I'd say about 15 hours. Hey, I need time to ride my horse and play with my other critters, too!

Do you consider it hard work and could anyone do it? No, but it requires a degree of patience.

Any other comments you'd like to include? I have a Web site folks can visit: www.mckenzieglassworks.com.

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The Artist: To suggest a creative talent who should be profiled in this feature, contact Pam Jung at pjung@theunion.com or 477-4232.