ArtFire

Handmade lampwork glass beads, swarovski crystals and .925 sterling silver earrings.

These beautiful sterling silver earrings are made using a pair of my handmade lampwork glass beads. They have a white base with black and white striping around them. I made some black lattice stringer and melted it around the middle to give these beads texture, depth and beauty. I added some clear swarovski crystal earrings to each side of the bead and sterling silver seamless round balls. These earrings are made using all .925 sterling silver findings and earwires.

Length approximately 1.75"

Handmade lampwork glass beads
Swarovski crystal bicone beads
Sterling silver seamless balls
Sterling silver earwires


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 beads, swarovski crystals, sterling silver