About Flameworking

Flameworking, also called lampworking is a form of beadmaking where a narrow rod of glass is placed into the flame of a torch. When the glass becomes molten glass it is wrapped around a mandrel, a thin rod of stainless steel. The space occupied by the mandrel becomes the hole through the bead. Turning the mandrel and holding it in certain ways allows gravity to help the bead take its shape, but tools are also used to push, pull and drag it into its final form. After the bead is completed it is then placed into a kiln for a process called annealing. This process hardens the bead making it stronger and more durable.

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About Jewelry Making

After the beads are annealed, they are removed from the mandrels and cleaned to prepare to become jewelry. Sterling silver wire and chain are used in all my jewelry. I also use a technique called secure link which makes the jewelry stronger than a traditional open link. Swarovski and fire polish crystals are used to accent the pieces. Some of my larger pieces also include semi-precious beads.