Lampwork / Torchwork Hot Glass Jewelry and Small Objects

Lampwork Glass Bead Necklace with Silver Leaf, Punched Metal Discs and Enamel on Copper Pendant.

Handmade item
Materials: Bronze, Glass, Copper, Enamel, Silver Leaf
Closure: Hook
Chain style: Bead
Style: Avant-garde
Necklace length: 19 Inches
PRICE: $50 (before shipping).
The inspiration for this elaborate and eclectic piece was a series of small glass pendants, common in the eastern Mediterranean during the 3rd through 5th Centuries CE, that were sometimes worn individually, sometimes in groups. What meaning they may have had to their wearers remains a mystery. Starting from there, I designed a series of sculptural “beads” in a wide range of forms: spools, stoppers, various polygons, tubes, drops, twists, etc. Some of these have applied surface textures, such as spirals or cross-hatching, and all have varying amounts of silver leaf melted to the surface while the bead was red-hot. I’ve also used a mix of colors that include cream, pink, electric blue, dark blue, orange-red, forest green, topaz, and clear with a bit of added purple enamel.
In addition to the glass components, I’ve added a series of metal pendants, suspended from copper wire. The central pendant is copper fired in a kiln with powdered clear enamel that takes on the oxidized color of the copper, turning it a reddish brown, along with a bit of blue in the center. The other pendants are bronze. I’ve heated these with a torch, then decorated them using a hammer and punches to create various concentric and star-shaped patterns.
The spaces between the beads and pendants are filled by decorative brass spacer beads in three different sizes. All the components are strung on or suspended from high quality multi-strand coated steel jewelry wire. The piece measures 19 inches long, and is secured by a hook and eye closure at the back.
This is an eclectic piece, but one that is certain to be noticed, and will garner plenty of comments. Are you the right person for this necklace?

Lampwork Glass Bead Necklace with Hexagonal Flat Beads

Handmade item
Materials: Glass
Closure: Hook
Chain style: Bead
Style: Avant garde
Necklace length: 19 Inches
PRICE: $45 (before shipping)
I made the beads for this 19-inch necklace by using a two-part hand held brass press in the hexagon shape you see here. This means that after forming the rough shape in the flame on a steel mandrel, I laid each bead laid into the two-part mold and pressed into shape by hand. All the glass used in this piece is from Murano, in the Venetian Lagoon. I’ve mixed and matched many different earth tones and uncommon shades of red and terracotta, along with a couple of marbled varieties, in brown and beige, along with transparent dark greens and transparent Burgundy.
I’ve added decorative spacers in a few different shapes between the beads. These are a pewter alloy (zinc based) and are gold colored. The closure is a similar allow, in the form of a decorative hook and eye. All the components are strung on extra strong multi-strand coated steel jewelry wire. The total length is this piece is 19 inches. A bold, eye-catching piece that is sure to become a conversation piece.

Lampwork Glass Bead Bracelet in Opaque Marbled Blue & Semi-Opaque Ocean Blue Enhanced with Silver Leaf

Handmade item
Materials: Glass, Silver
Closure: Toggle
Style: Avant-garde
Bracelet width: 2 Inches; Bracelet length: 7.75 Inches
PRICE: $36 (before shipping)
I made the beads for this bracelet by using two types of Murano blue glass. First, I used a semi-opaque ocean blue glass for the larger beads, then applied various bits of sterling silver foil or leaf to the glass, allowing it to melt into the surface. Then, for the smaller beads, I used a very light blue marbled glass. I used a “masher” (that’s the term used by glass artists) to slightly flatten the beads while red-hot, transforming them into a lentil or nugget shape. This shape is especially good for bracelets, as it allows the glass to lay flat against the wrist or arm.
All the beads have very slight traces of intense red on the surface (see the photos). On the semi-opaque beads with silver leaf, this comes from the chemical interaction of the silver with colorants in the blue glass while in the torch flame. On the opaque marbled beads, I deliberately used a silver-plated tool during the shaping process, to impart traces of silver that created small red streaks while in the flame.
Between the beads, I’ve added decorative spacers made from low grade silver, while the closure is a silvered brass decorative toggle. The piece is strung on strong, multi-strand coated steel jewelry wire. This piece is a bit larger than many bracelets, as I often have customers asking for something a bit larger than the typical 6 to 7 inches, measuring 7.75 inches in total length, with an interior width of 2 inches when closed.

Lampwork / Hot Glass Bead Necklace with Colored Enamels in Clear Glass

Handmade item
Materials: Glass
Closure: Hook
Chain style: Bead
Style: Avant garde
Necklace length: 19.50 Inches
PRICE: $40 (before shipping)
I made the beads for this necklace by using simple clear glass, rolling the beads in colored enamel powders, and encasing the enameled surface in more clear glass. Although Spring had not quite arrived when I made this piece, I wanted to make something reflecting the colors of wild flowers that appear in Spring. Using enamels with clear glass rather than opaque colored glass allows for the colors to pop as light passes through the clear glass.
Most of the 25 beads are simple barrel or tubular shapes, with 7 of them, including the focal bead, being slightly flattened spheres. Beads of this type are sometimes called lentil beads. I’ve used 2 different shades of yellow, one shade each of purple, pink, green and orchid.
Between the beads are small silver colored decorative brass spacers. The piece is secured with a silver colored bras shook and eye closure. All the components are strung on multi-strand coated steel jewelry wire. The total length of this piece is 19.5 inches.

Hot Glass / Flamework Glass Bead Necklace in Earth Tones and Green

Handmade item
Materials: Glass
Closure: Hook
Chain style: Bead
Style: Avant garde
Necklace length: 19 Inches
PRICE: $45 (before shipping)
I used a selection of earthy opaque colors when making the beads for this necklace. To make the large focal bead and two very similar but slightly smaller beads, I used a semi-opaque pink, then applied stringers of opaque green and orange over the pink. For all the other beads, I used opaque earth tones in colors that resemble brick, sandstone, terracotta, and other woodsy shades, some enhanced with a bit of green. Overall, I think the color scheme and shapes convey a somewhat “tribal” feel to this piece, as well as suggestions of forest colors. There are a total of 17 beads in this necklace.
The beads are separated by decorative brass spacers that have an antiqued gold finish. The closure is a gold colored brass hook and eye clasp. All the components are strung on high strength, multi-strand coated steel jewelry wire. The total length of this piece is 19 inches.

Lampwork / Torchwork Hot Glass Jewelry and Small Objects

Lampwork Glass Bead Necklace with Silver Leaf, Punched Metal Discs and Enamel on Copper Pendant.

Lampwork Glass Bead Necklace with Hexagonal Flat Beads

Lampwork Glass Bead Bracelet in Opaque Marbled Blue & Semi-Opaque Ocean Blue Enhanced with Silver Leaf

Lampwork / Hot Glass Bead Necklace with Colored Enamels in Clear Glass

Hot Glass / Flamework Glass Bead Necklace in Earth Tones and Green

Lampwork Glass Bead Collar Necklace with Handmade Stamped & Etched Bronze Components

Lampwork Glass Juglet Pendant with Millefiori Cane Slices on Silver Chain

Lampwork Glass Bead Necklace in Transparent Blue and Transparent Dark Amber

Lampwork Glass Bead Necklace in Reds and Blues in Ancient Chevron or “Raked” Style

Lampwork Glass Bead Necklace in Forest Colors