Desert Bloom Beads: I first created these in 1999 after taking a lampworking class with Kate Fowle Meleney. Each bead starts with clear glass, covered in silver foil that bonds to the hot surface. The flower designs are then “painted” directly in the flame using glass rods, sometimes with a touch of sparkle from cubic zirconia at the center of the blooms. The original design features a lenticular shape, chosen for its elegant, curved form. Over time, I explored other shapes and colors, adapting the beads for use in a variety of jewelry designs.
