Lampwork jewlry

[Woman of 1,000 Hobbies]

I posted some pictures on my site of jewelry my sister made using my lampwork beads. Lampwork is when you use a torch (oxygen/propane) to melt and form glass. I made the beads and my sister made them into jewelry. She's amazing. Whenever I try to make them into jewelry it comes out boring. She's got such a flair.

Go here for all the pictures. http://www.thousandhobbies.com/hobbies/Crafts/Lampwork2.html

I posted one of the pictures below.
http://www.thousandhobbies.com/hobbies/Crafts/Beads/JeanneElaineJewelry2.jpg

[Vikki32]

wow, how in the world did you make the beads so perfect?

[Woman of 1,000 Hobbies]

Well thank you, but they are definitely not perfect. :) But it did take me me about year of practice to get to the point where my beads were shaped (mostly) right. Its an extremely mesmerizing hobby. There's something about manipulating hot glass that's almost sensual. The texture goes from hard-taffy to dripping honey depending on how long and where you hold it in the flame.

[Vikki32]

wow, that's so cool. I always wanted to know how the whole glass bead thing was done. I went to Venice on a school trip and we went to see a man make a horse from blowing glass. I saw it but still have no idea how it was done. It is amazing and beautiful.

[MillieIsabella]

Very pretty... I've always wanted to learn how to make these beads.

[Woman of 1,000 Hobbies]

Hey Millie. If you want to learn there are a lot of good beginner books. This is the one I learned from.
Making Glass Beads by Jenkins
http://www.frantzartglass.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=32_33&products_id=1976

You can get a starter kit, with everything including the book for about $200. Probably less if you look around.
http://www.frantzartglass.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4407

[Da Vid]

cute!

[chinchillaqueen13]

wow, they're all so pretty!! ~o~

[Addie_Marie]

This is way awesome. I've always admired handmade glass beads, and these are especially beautiful. Glass work is so fascinating! I could watch glassblowers for hours, and although I've never seen anyone do lampwork, I'm sure it would be equally incredible to watch.