Glass Creations with Handmade Lampwork Beads

Every glass bead - however tiny - is individually handmade!

My jewelry art begins with creating the glass beads using the lamp work process.  First, the end of a slender rod of colored glass is melted using a specialized propane torch.  When the molten gather of glass becomes the desired size, it is wound onto a thin steel rod, or mandrel, the tip of which has been dipped into a clay-like substance (bead release) and allowed to dry.  This will later allow the bead to slide off of the mandrel, instead of melting onto it.  The size of the mandrel may vary, and will determine the resulting size of the bead hole.

The molten glass bead is kept hot in the flame (1800 degrees Fahrenheit), while it is shaped or adorned to the desire of the artist.  When the bead is finished it is important that it cools slowly so that it doesn't develop stresses that will later cause it to crack (this is the simplest explanation of complex physical principles that are involved).  For large beads a kiln is used, for smaller beads a fiberglass blanket insulates well enough to cool the bead slowly, in about 20-30 minutes.

When cool, the mandrel with bead is placed in water, which softens the bead release, and the bead can be easily pulled from the mandrel.  Then, each bead must be individually hand cleaned, using a diamond reamer to remove the remaining bead release and smooth the bead hole.  The bead is then ready to be made into a piece of jewelry.

In my jewelry creations, I combine my handmade glass beads with sterling silver and occasionally semi-precious stones, like turquoise and lapis.  But I never use factory made glass beads -- I have individually created each glass bead in this jewelry.

My art is inspired by nature and color.  My favorite bead shapes are forms that are reminiscent of the glass in its liquid state.  I also enjoy creating irregular, or slightly 'imperfect' shapes, which give the finished jewelry a more rustic quality.  My favorite part of jewelry making is working with the molten glass, which has a consistency anywhere from thick syrup to soft clay, depending on how hot it is.  Each color of glass when molten glows a different shade of orange or red, which I find mesmerizing and meditative.  I'm never exactly sure what the final bead will look like until it is completely cool later on.  Opening the fiber blanket to see my completed beads is like opening gifts at Christmastime!