All About Beads

Lampwork

Handmade lampwork beads are particularly beautiful works of art. They are made by melting glass onto a mandrel over a hot flame. Layers of different glass are then used to create a variety of unusual effects. The beads are popped into a kiln and annealed to ensure that they are durable. Mass produced beads are not annealed and will eventually crack.

The lampwork artists I buy from are all exceptionally talented at their craft and their beads are highly sought after. They include Laura Sparling (I bought my first ever set of beads from her! A delightful pink set. Her beads literally disappear from her website in a matter of minutes!), Mike Poole (his beads are particularly arty and vibrant and have a very robust quality about them), Helen Prole (very delicate wispy beads, including some wonderful animal and bug shaped beads), Sally Carver (the most wayout colourful beads imaginable),.and Isabelle Anderson (wonderfully organic beads that are a pleasure to work with). My latest addition is Clare Scott. Her beads are really unusual and completely mesmerising!

Silver

The silver I use in my jewellery is either Bali or sterling silver which is 92.5% pure. I also use Karen Hill Tribe silver from Thailand (which is Fair Trade) and this is 99.5% pure fine silver.

Gold

The gold used in my jewellery is vermeil which means that it is sterling silver plated in either 24k or 22k gold.