Vivian’s Vision: One-of-a-kind glass jewelry designs, ornaments and other collectibles

With a unique eye for nature, local glass bead artist Vivian Bansal incorporates the world around her in her jewelry creations.

The Houma artisan is creating a new fad n jewelry and ornaments made from Italian glass with scenes families to South Louisianans.

Bansal creates the works by maneuvering the glass over a hot flame, a process she calls lampworking.

“I use a specially-designed torch or lamp to heat glass rods for sculpting and bead-making,” she said. “When the molten glass gets soft, I can manipulate it into shapes and designs. I use different tools to get the different shapes I desire.”

When asked about the heating source, Bansal said she uses propane and oxygen. Traditionally, glass bead artists use an oil and paraffin lamp as their flame source. Today, Bunsen burners and gas-fueled torches are more commonly used, according to the artist.

Bansal draws from the world around her to decorate her work. Flowers, trees, animals or the flowing Louisiana bayous can be seen on her work. She also makes jewelry for weddings, birthday parties or any special occasions.

Merchandise is available over the Internet at her online store called Vivian’s Visions. Her prices range from $15 to $80 a set.

“I don’t have a place in Houma where people can go to buy my jewelry. But I will host a home jewelry party to showcase the selected jewelry featured,” she said. Bansal also attends many local art festivals and fairs to sell her jewelry.

“I feel that the online store is better because people from out of town can still purchase my jewelry,” the artist said.

Before moving to Houma, Bansal lived in Atlanta, Ga., where she also sold her jewelry over the Internet and at art festivals and shows.

The 32-year-old artist has always had a knack for artistry and jewelry making. Bansal said she made all of her jewelry back when she was a teenager and young adult going through high school and college.

“I would spend hours looking for material to make jewelry with when I was younger. I made jewelry to wear at prom, on dates or just everyday wear,” Bansal said.

Her artistry matured when she learned how to make her own beads from a glass artist in the Caribbean Islands. She served as an apprentice there for two years.

“The lady owned her own shop. She needed an apprentice and I wanted to learn more about bead making, so we were a perfect fit. She taught me every thing I needed to know. The rest came with practice,” the bead maker said.

The first time Bansal saw the outcome of her intricate work, she was amazed. “The process is long because I have to make and design each bead one-by-one. It can take me hours to make one set,” she explained.

The artist said she doesn’t duplicate her artwork. She said each set is made differently. “I am not in to massive jewelry-making. I make the set particularly for one person and my customers like that,” Bansal said.

In addition, Bansal has a background working with disabled children, she hopes to one-day merge art and recreational therapy together, creating a safe way for the children to make their own jewelry.

Bansal’s www.vivianvision.com Web site is under reconstruction. For more information, contact her at (985) 414-5610 or, via e-mail, at info@viviansvision.com.

Business Info: Vivian’s Vision

Business Owner: Vivian Bansal

Phone: (985) 414-5610

Location: Online Store www.viviansvision.com

Servicea: Makes and designs jewelry, ornaments and other knick-knacks from Italian glass.

Staff photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN • Tri-Parish Times