Each unique piece of jewellery often features my own lampwork beads. Lampworking (also known as flameworking) is the process of melting rods of glass around a mandrel over a flame and sculpting a bead. Glass bead making has been around for thousands of years. Perhaps the term lampworking is derived from the early Venetians who used an oil lamp to melt glass while an assistant blew air into the flame to make it burn hotter.

Lampworking can be done with many types of glass. I prefer using Moretti or Vetrefond Italian glass to make my beads. Each bead begins as an idea in my mind.  As I sculpt the bead, it takes on a life of it's own. The process of constructing glass beads is long and cannot be rushed. Glass must be cooled slowly to avoid cracking and so the annealing process makes glass bead making very time consuming. Each bead must be cleaned and finished before use in a necklace, bracelet or earring. Lampworking is definitely a labour of love!

If you are interested in a custom made piece, I would be happy to work with you to create jewelry unique to you.