ArtFire

Etched kryptonite with silver handmade lampwork glass beads and aqua fired agate smooth 6mm round gemstone bracelet with Swarovski crystals and sterling silver.

Artisan crafted lampwork glass bead and gemstone bracelet. This is a beautiful and dainty sterling silver bracelet. I made it with of my handmade lampwork glass beads that I added .999 fine silver too and etched them for a sea glass appearance. The color of the bead is called Kryptonite. That is interesting all by itself. I decided on a variety of aqua fired agate gemstones that are smooth and round and about 6mm in size. Then I combined some beautiful green Swarovski crystal bicones and added that to the mix and came up with this feminine design. Then I topped it off with a lot of .925 sterling silver bead and decorative toggle clasp.


Length approximately 8-1/4"

Handmade lampwork glass beads
Aqua fired agate gemstone smooth round beads
Swarovski crystal bicone beads
Sterling silver beads, findings and toggle clasp


All lampwork glass beads are handmade by me, Covergirlbeads glass artisan, Charlotte Hayes. My handmade beads are made one at a time in my studio along the Texas gulf coast. I'm also a handmade jewelry artisan and handcraft my jewelry designs one at a time.

TAKE PRIDE AND BUY HANDMADE

Support your worldwide and local artisans. Buy handmade! You'll be getting unique beads, jewelry and handcrafted items that only a few will ever own. Some items are even one of a kind!


SHIPPING

I use domestic shipping with delivery confirmation and ship internationally at reasonable rates. International buyers are responsible for any and all customs duties, taxes, vat or any other expense that may be added to your package entering your country.


LAMPWORK - THE PROCESS OF MELTING GLASS

I melt glass using my Carlisle mini cc torch winding it onto a mandrel (metal rod) that has been dipped in bead release (a silica based clay) to prevent the glass from sticking to the mandrel.

I use a variety of Moretti/Effetre Italian glass, Vetrofond, Lausha, CIM, Double Helix, Reichenbach, Bullseye, and TAG glass. I also use CZ cubic zirconias, dichroic glass, .999 fine silver, copper, silver leaf, gold leaf and palladium to add interesting designs and create elegant to organic styles of beads. After forming the bead, it is placed in the kiln to go through the annealing process.


ANNEALING

Annealing is a MUST. It is the process where I place my beads in my preheated digitally controlled Glass Hive kiln and allow them to rest for several hours in a glowing heat bath until the glass is the same temperature all over. This relieves stress in the bead. Then the temperature is slowly ramped down overnight until the beads are completely cooled to room temperature. This process takes hours and adds strength and durability to each bead. BEADS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ANNEALED HAVE A GREATER CHANCE OF CRACKING DUE TO STRESS AND THERMAL SHOCK.


CLEANING

Cleaning the bead release out of the hole is very important. I use an electric dremel with a diamond bit to clean each bead individually. Clean bead holes make for a nicer construction for artisans to assemble their jewelry. If you will inspect the cheap imports, you will notice they are filled with bead release and you should question whether or not they were kiln annealed. Always buy handmade!


PHOTOGRAPHY

Numerous pictures are taken in an effort to get just the perfect photo for you to view. This is can be very time consuming but worth every minute to ensure you see quality photos. Sometimes beads can be very stubborn and nearly impossible to show their true beauty.


Member of Self Representing Artists SRA #H98

lampwork glass beads, aqua fired agate gemstones, swarovski crystals, sterling silver