All New Handmade Silk
and
Lampwork Glass
Beads
I use my lampwork
glass beads to
create sterling silver necklaces, earrings, and specialty vessels.
Each lampwork bead
begins with a rod of imported Morretti glass from Italy. I use an
oxygen/propane torch to heat the glass rods to a molten state. The
glass is then wound on to a stainless steel rod that has been coated
with a clay like bead release. Different colors of glass are used
to create patterns as well as other processes that cause unique changes
in the surface of the bead. When the bead has been completed, it is
placed in a 960 degree kiln for up to eight hours. This annealing
process stabilizes the glass adding strength and durability.
Make
sure you visit my "How do you do this?" page to see pictures
of the process.
