Featured Gale Whit ...handmade lampwork beads

Total dead end on researching this, probably some mix-up with the name, or possible the artist wasn't in the business of making lamp work beads for very long, and/or worked pre-internet. Got these last week at a garage sale. The older woman who was selling them said she got them several decades ago at "Piccadilly Studios" and that the artist was "Gale Whit".

I can find absolutely nothing on that unusual name, also zero on the studio. The seller wrote the name on the bag, so I know I have the spelling with what she thought was correct. She seemed quite specific about it, and her memory seemed clear on other matters. I figured I'd get home and find the name, but no such luck. Price was good, I could see the quality, so have zero buyer's remorse but if by some miracle anyone recognizes the artist's name, let me know! Here is the group:

 

The beads are fairly nice Italian lampwork. I have some kicking around myself. The name is probably the person who put the bracelets together. The beadmakers were anyonymous Italian chaps.

 

Lovely beads! I wouldn’t have buyers remorse either!

 

Nice. Those toggle clasps are no older than the 90s.

 

1990s could be about right. Owner said she got them a few decades ago.

The woman holding the yard sale went on and on about how this artist "Gale Whit" made the beads (the owner told me she paid $250) and had a whole story about how they worked together with some real-estate deal. I should have been paying better attention, but I was scanning the sale and only half listening. I got the three pieces for $40 total, which actually turned into $30 since we combined it with another item I bought.

As I look at some other artisan lampwork beads it seems possible they were artisan.

Here's an auction from Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2655090398...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

For example these by Nirit Dekel which sold for $320.



Some similarity. I know not the same artist, but I do think there is a chance they were artisan made.


Not reselling them at the moment. But would love to find out who Gale Whit was!

Occurs to me I could stop back at the house, or drop the former owner a card. I live fairly close, less than a mile, and the person who sold them was quite lovely. I'll report back if I learn anything.

Thanks to everyone who took a look.

 

I suspect the problem is there's so many good small studio lampworkers out there.

 

Studio glass is like studio pottery - minus the illegible signatures.

 

Truth!

 

Yep. Even the country of origin can be a mystery.

 

Classic lamp work studio beads-IMO 80s-90s and I’d guess American but they could have been made anywhere. Love these-I love studio glass beads and you stole them IMO.

 

And stole them the 2nd day of the sale. I could see the work in them and wasn't turned off by the price of $40.

 

There is a Gail Witt who is/was involved with something called "Creation is Messy" & "Messy Colors" and she seems to have made lampwork beads. I also came across her in "Pickadilly Studio" on Etsy. But the last activity I can see regarding her with these was in 2016. Sorry, I can't do links but they are easy enough to find.

 

That's amazing info @LucyLocket. This is my first lead! Much appreciated. Off to take a look and thank you for taking the time to write!

 

No problem at all - good luck with your search! Meant to say I really like your jewellery, especially the blues & greens - great find.