Lampworking and Jewelry Making: Crafting Radiance

Lampworking and Jewelry Making: Crafting Radiance

Lampworking, a mesmerizing glass art form that dates back centuries, has found its way into the world of jewelry making, adding a unique dimension of color, texture, and artistic flair. The delicate craftsmanship of lampworked glass beads, often shaped by hand over an open flame, has made them prized treasures for jewelry designers and collectors alike. In this article, we will explore how lampworked glass is used in jewelry making, showcasing stunning examples and offering creative ideas for incorporating lampwork beads into your jewelry designs.
October 01, 2023 — Stephanie White
pink lampwork beads

Mischief Frit Lampwork Beads

These lampwork beads turned out absolutely beautiful. The combination of light pink with a raspberry pink is just gorgeous together. Adding a little shimmering gold aventurine just made them extra beautiful. These beads were made primarily with Mischief frit from Val Cox. Isn't the color delicious!
September 08, 2023 — Stephanie White
Intricate Glass Magic: What are Lampwork Beads

Intricate Glass Magic: What are Lampwork Beads

Have you ever marveled at the intricate patterns and vibrant colors adorning handmade jewelry? If so, you may have encountered lampwork beads, miniature works of art in the world of jewelry-making. In this article, we will delve into the enchanting realm of lampwork beads, unveiling their origins, creation process, and their enduring appeal.
September 01, 2023 — Stephanie White
metal lampwork beads

Metallic Magic: Infusing Metals into Lampwork Beads

Incorporating metals into beads adds a distinct charm, resulting in a one-of-a-kind appearance shaped by your technique. The inclusion of silver offers the possibility of crafting silver, gold, or dual-toned effects through careful encasement. By combining transparent glass colors, metals can take on silver, gold, purple, turquoise, orange, yellow, teal, or even fuchsia shades when applied strategically.
Lampwork Bead Masterpieces: Exploring the Beauty of Dichroic Glass

Lampwork Bead Masterpieces: Exploring the Beauty of Dichroic Glass

Dichroic glass is a type of glass that exhibits two different colors when viewed from different angles or under varying lighting conditions. This unique property is achieved through a special coating that is applied to the surface of the glass. The coating is made up of multiple layers of thin materials, often metallic oxides, that reflect and transmit light in different ways, resulting in the appearance of different colors.
August 10, 2023 — Stephanie White
handmade lampwork beads

Handmade vs Mass-Produced Lampwork Beads Pros & Cons

Jewelry making is a timeless art that allows artisans to express their creativity through the intricate combination of beads, components, and gemstones. Aspiring jewelry makers often find themselves at a crossroads when selecting the perfect materials for their designs. In this article, we will explore about handmade lampwork beads vs. mass-produced lampwork beads. What are the pros and cons to using these types of beads in your beaded jewelry. 

July 25, 2023 — Stephanie White
frit lampwork beads

Frit Lampwork Beads: Harnessing the Vibrant Palette of Glass Frit

Frit is a term used to describe crushed or ground glass particles, which are available in various sizes and colors. In lampwork beadmaking, frit is a versatile and essential material used by glass artists to add texture, color, and dimension to their creations. The application of frit glass pieces involves melting them onto the surface of hot glass, allowing them to fuse and become an integral part of the bead design.
July 22, 2023 — Stephanie White
Purple & Pink Swirl Frit Beads

Purple & Pink Swirl Frit Beads

A customer was looking for some magenta beads which turns out looks more like Double Helix Euros. So I will give it another go this weekend and see if I can create similar beads in the right color. Making all these beads side by side was great for me to see the different shades side-by-side. 
July 13, 2023 — Stephanie White
Lampwork Scrap Glass Focal Beads

Lampwork Scrap Glass Focal Beads

When working with glass beads, it is not uncommon to encounter a shocky rod that releases small pieces of glass. Initially, these fragments may seem insignificant, often leading to their disposal through vacuuming. However, these little glass pieces possess tremendous potential to be transformed into beautiful and distinct focal lampwork beads. Even leftover stringers can find their place within these creations.
July 08, 2023 — Stephanie White
lampwork beads

Handmade Lampwork Beads vs. Mass-Produced Lampwork Beads

When it comes to lampwork beads, there exists a significant distinction between handmade creations and mass-produced counterparts. While both types serve as components for stunning jewelry and adornments, understanding the differences can deepen your appreciation for the artistry and craftsmanship involved. Let's explore the nuances that set handmade lampwork beads apart from their mass-produced counterparts.
July 06, 2023 — Stephanie White
Heather Frit Lampwork Beads

Heather Frit Lampwork Beads

The Heather Frit from Glass Diversions is a beautiful frit that looks good on almost any base. The frit colors are purple, gray, lilac, and white. It even creates nice lavender-blue or gray swirls within clear glass. The frit itself was very reactive and you could see nice color separation and beautiful lines on many of the beads.
May 27, 2023 — Stephanie White
sedimentary rocks lampwork beads

Sedimentary Rock Lampwork Beads

These beads turned out so beautiful. They are created with Val Cox's Frit Blend Iron Oxide. These were created custom stringers created with clear glass, val cox frit, goldstone, and intense black accents. These remind me of the layers of sediments found in rocks that create waves. This is the reason I called these lampwork beads 'sedimentary rocks'. 
June 27, 2022 — Stephanie White