Hi, Barbara. Thanks for sharing your perspective and info about ISGB. I was unaware of that group, and was treated to a breathtaking website visit. I might well apply for membership— would be wonderful to be part of such an innovative and inspired organization!
I would suggest that we not couch things in terms of “Italy vs. the US”; I certainly do not. Skill and cretivity have no geographical allegiance, as I’m sure you’ll agree. In fact, part of what I think makes Marco Polo Designs so special is that we are a hybrid: we design the beads and the jewelry built on that foundation. We’ve introduced numerous beadmaking innovations to our partners.
We leverage the centuries-deep knowledge and traditions of our Venetian and Murano artisans to create our beautiful beads in intermediate quantities that exceed what any individual artist could preoduce with comparable quality. We try to play to our respective strengths. To our regret, we haven’t found comparable cost-effective resources available in the US.
As you know, there has been a lot of productive interchange between Italian and US glass artists. For example, the Murano master Lino Tagliapietra has spent years teaching at the Pilchuk Studio in Washington state, sharing glassmaking secrets that some Italian glass craftsmen would perhaps have preferred to keep secret. Lino is a citizen of the world, who has repeatedly commented on the innovative spirit of his American colleagues. A wonderful working relationship, with benefits on both sides! We need more of that.

It’s nice for those of us that make glass beads and jewelry from our own beads. However I would dispute that the best glass beads are made in Italy While the center of glAss was once there it now resides in the united states innovation and creativity without bounds is what makes American glassbead makers unique. Go to http://www.isgb.org for information

Interesting angle! Glad to hear that traditional jewelers are taking note of contemporary glass jewelry and beads.