Unique glass beads created one at a time in a flame of inspiration
Lampwork beads are made from molten glass that begin as colored rods. The rods are slowly melted with the flame of a torch ran from a oxygen and propane mix. The molten glass is than wound around a mandrel which is a thin, stainless steel rod. A variety of colorful frits, enamels and fine metals are sometimes added to give each of my beads the unique look I strive for. While adding different materials and shaping each bead, I have to be constantly aware of the fine line between when the glass is dripping like honey and so cold it might crack. Learning the flow of the glass and being attentive to my materials and the flame chemistry is a tiny bit of a mass amount of knowledge it takes to create these tiny art pieces. Once the bead had been formed to it's desired shape, it is placed inside a kiln at about 960 degrees. The annealing cylce then begins, allowing the bead to properly "soak" and cool preventing cracks and insuring a bead that will last a lifetime.
My work is available for purchase on Etsy and occasionally on Ebay. Click the links at the bottom of the page to take you directly to my listings. I add new sets and focals bi- weekly.
Custom orders are Happily accepted.
Melissa Vess
303-273-5337
Lakewood, Colorado