Name
Will Mumford

Brain Tumor Type
Craniopharyngioma

Date of Diagnosis
August 2017

Age Group (If you are a caregiver/family member please check Caregiver/Family Member)
Youth: 13 - 20 Years of age

Category
Jewelry & Textiles

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
The beads for this pair of earrings are made from white stoneware clay. This was my first experience with making ceramic beads. First I had to form the shapes, then make a hole through the center. The hole had to be wide enough to not get stuck after the clay shrunk during firing. After it had been fired once, I glazed the beads. This was difficult because I had to make sure there was no glaze in the hole, otherwise the bead would get stuck. I used a bead tree to glaze fire the beads. The bead tree holds the beads above the kiln shelf on a wire so that the glaze does not stick to the shelf when it melts. I have been making jewelry for a long time, but I have not made beads before. I liked having more choice in the shapes and colors of the beads, but it was also more difficult than I expected. Once the beads were glazed, I made a pair of earrings with them. They were different from other beads I had used, since the hole was much bigger. To prevent the ceramic beads from falling off, I had to have a large bead beneath them. I assembled the earrings using round nose pliers and wire cutters. This was an interesting experience, and it was very different from making earrings with beads that I had purchased. I enjoyed trying something in a new way. This took much more work for the final product compared to buying beads, but I am happy with the results.

Bio (include your age, tumor type and date of diagnosis)
My name is Will Mumford. I was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma brain tumor in August of 2017, when I was 14. I am now 20 years old. I really enjoy art, mainly 3D art, and I like to reflect parts of my life through my art. Within 3D art, I am unable to choose one specific medium. I am always working on an art project and I find art very enjoyable. I find it easier to relax when I am working on something I enjoy. I like using clay, plaster, wire, beads, paper, recycled materials and much more. I am currently attending Anne Arundel Community College. This is my sixth year entering and I hope to enter for many years to come.