I’m often asked how I create the intricate designs in my beads. Many people assume they’re painted on, but they’re not. Every design is formed in the flame, using colored rods of glass heated to 2,000 degrees.
So how do I craft these patterns on a lampworked bead? It’s all done with molten glass and careful manipulation in the flame. The bead in this ring was part of an exercise where I challenged myself to make 100 unique beads using just two colors. The floral design was created by layering dots of glass, then heating and pulling them with a sharp pick to shape the petals.
For this piece, I used turquoise and silvered black. When heated, the black glass brings silver to the surface, creating a striking metallic sheen. I love the depth and richness this effect adds to the design.
