I am a Jewellery Artist . I make jewellery of all kinds . I especially enjoy making and using my own lampwork beads.
To make my beads, the end of a rod of glass is heated in a flame until the glass softens. As the glass melts it forms a ball shape gathered on the end of the rod.
The molten glass is touched against a mandrel made of steel. Contact is then made near the end of the mandrel which has previously been coated with a bead release compound. By turning the mandrel in one hand and at the same time continuing to heat the glass rod held in the other, glass is transferred to the mandrel forming a ring around it. This ring of glass is the basis of the bead.
More glass is added to give the desired size and the bead is shaped in the heat of the flame, using gravity as well as tools. Glass of other colours is then added to the surface in a pattern or randomly to give an variety of finishes. The glass bead is annealed in a kiln to give strength and durability. It is kept at a high temperature to release the stresses which have accumulated as the bead has been worked. Next it is cooled slowly in the kiln to room temperature. Finally when cooled , the bead is removed from the mandrel and the releasing compound is cleaned from the hole.
Because each bead is made individually, no two are exactly alike. A single bead can take anything from a couple of minutes to over an hour to make.
Feel free to browse, enjoy and perhaps purchase some beautiful jewellery.
I offer necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and chokers. These are finished off with findings made of sterling silver, silver plate, tibetan silver, copper or aluminium. The price reflects the material used.
If you like something which has already been sold I can make one similar but not identical. You will always have a unique piece of jewellery.
Enjoy!
