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I use only the highest quality materials in these wearable art pieces, including the very finest hand torched lampwork glass beads flamed by extraordinarily talented glass artists from around the world. The glass beads are skillfully surrounded with sterling silver, Bali silver, Swarovski crystals and pearls, and genuine semi-precious stones.
All of the glass lampwork beads used in my jewelry have been properly kiln annealed for strength and durability. The glass is sturdy, however, the wearer should keep in mind that it is glass and may crack or break if handled improperly or roughly. In most cases, these glass beads are one of kind and cannot be replaced. Should you break a bead, contact me and I will try to get you a comparable replacement.
Sizing Custom Bracelets
Measure your wrist at the smallest point using a flexible measuring tape. Measure it snug and then add 1 inch to the measurement. If your wrist measures 6 1/4 inches, then your bracelet size would be 7 1/4 inches. When ordering a bracelet that has lampwork beads on it, please allow for an additional 1/2-3/4 inch as the larger beads take up more room around the wrist. I will contact you to ensure proper fit prior to shipping.
Jewelry Care Instructions
~Use a soft silver polishing cloth on silver portions of jewelry. Silver cleaner is NOT recommended.
~Do not wear lampwork glass bracelets on the same wrist as other bracelets, to minimize trauma to the glass beads.
~Do NOT submerse in jewelry cleaner.
~Keep out of reach of small children as the beads and components may pose a choking hazard.
Earwire Types
Here are the choices for earwires.
Ball End
French Hook With Ball
Kidney Wire
Leverback
What are Bali beads?
Bali beads are handcrafted in Bali, Indonesia and are exceptional in quality and detail. Because these items are individually crafted from silver by many bead artisans, there may be slight variations in bead size, form, hole size and oxidation.
What is Hill Tribe Silver?
Thai Hill Tribe Silver is made by the Karen Hill Tribe in northern Thailand using traditional tribal methods passed down from generation to generation. Purchasing these Thai beads helps sustain a traditional craft and provides the Karen people with a reliable source of income. The silver content is typically 95-99%, even higher than sterling (92.5%). This higher silver content makes it softer and therefore easier to shape into all the unique and wonderful styles. No two pieces are exactly alike, attesting to the handmade nature of these beautiful pieces.
What is Lampworking?
Lampworking is an age-old art of working glass cane, also referred to as glass rods, over an open flame. Originally an oil lamp was used and the flame was stoked with air bellows to focus heat and melt the glass. By the beginning of the fifteenth century this new technique was being used all across Europe. Lampworking, as we know it today, had been born. Gas torches with specialized burner heads have replaced the oil lamps but the fascination that accompanies the melting of glass remains and the name lampworking is a reminder that this highly refined craft has a very old and basic origin.
Modern lampworking involves heating glass rods in an open flame until nearly molten. The hot glass is then wrapped around a stainless steel rod called a mandrel. The glass, when held in the open flame, can be shaped into small objects such as beads, marbles, vessels, and sculptures. Glass bead artists use this basic process to create an amazing array of beautiful, unique, and sometimes quirky beads. A bead artist will hold the mandrel in one hand and a glass rod in the other. The glass rod is held in the flame long enough to melt the tip. As the glass softens it is wrapped around the mandrel to form a bead. The artist continues to rotate the mandrel to shape the molten bead. Additional layers of glass are applied in the same fashion to add color, shape and texture to the bead.
What are Swarovski Crystals?
In 1895, a young Austrian glass cutter named Daniel Swarovski invented a grinding machine that could produce large numbers of high-quality decorative stones. Today, the flawless shapes of Swarovski crystals are achieved through precision cutting techniques developed by the company. The resulting facet angles are sharp and microscopically identical, giving the beads exceptional sparkle. No competitor has come close to replicating the superior cuts of these Austrian crystals.
Another factor that sets Swarovski crystal apart is the 32% lead content. This qualifies it as "fully leaded crystal". Combined with quartz sand, soda, potash and other minerals, the lead enhances the natural spectrum and increases the weight, brilliance, and prismatic qualities of the crystal. Although lead can be a toxic substance, wearing leaded crystal jewelry does not pose a health risk unless the beads are ingested. If you live in the state of California, the following information applies specifically to you:
California specific Swarovski Crystal information: Attention California
residents. Proposition 65 WARNING. Consuming foods or beverages that
have been kept or served in leaded crystal products or handling products
made of leaded crystal will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State
of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. This warning
applies to items described as containing Swarovski or "Austrian Crystals" so
please do not injest them or use them with food products. Swarovski crystals
are not intended to be edible.
The Swarovski company has over one hundred years of experience producing the world's finest man-made crystal. Their beads are unmatched in quality and brilliance. An ever-growing variety of colors, shapes and finishes is available.
What is Rhodium and why do you point this out on some pieces?
Rhodium is a member of the platinum metals group and is often used to plate white gold jewelry. The Swarovski crystal rondelles that I use have been plated with Rhodium and are not considered sterling for that reason. I feel I need to point this out because over time, the Rhodium coating may diminish. I have switched to mostly using just solid Swarovski crystal spacers for this reason but some items have been made using the plated rondelles. I feel it is my duty to point this out to make you aware that the coating may wear in the future. I have not had any problems with them at this point however.
What is Soft Flex® Wire?
Soft Flex® Wire is constructed of either 21 or 49 micro woven, stainless steel wires, braided together and then nylon coated. This micro-wire technology gives you the most flexible and knottable stainless steel in the world. It is hypoallergenic, and since Soft Flex® Wire is marine quality, it can be worn in and out of salt and fresh water. Each diameter was designed to handle certain levels of abrasion, everything from soft materials like pearls and seed beads to rougher materials like glass, minerals and metal. I use 49 strand micro woven Soft Flex® Wire in all of my bracelets.
Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Chart
For custom made bracelets, you can consult the color chart below to determine what colors you may want to use. I may have to order a particular color so that it could take a week or two to complete your custom order.
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