What is Lampwork?

“Lampwork” is the name of a technique for making glass beads by hand. Lampwork beads are handmade by skilled artisans who hold a glass rod or cane into a flame or "lamp" and rotate it around a mandrel. The bead is shaped or smoothed and colour and design components are then added. Since they are handmade, each bead is a work of art.  When they design and make up these beads they produce limited numbers, ensuring each set is genuinely unique. All of the beads I use have been professionally made by hand and are then digitally annealed in a special kiln to give them extra strength. Often, you'll see alot of charm bracelets that are made up of cheap, mass produced imported beads that chip and break easily - and of course there is nothing unique about them when they are produced in their thousands!

What is Thai and Hill Tribe silver... is that the same as sterling silver?

Sterling silver is combined with copper in a 92.5% / 7.5% ratio split - which is why it is stamped .925. By adding the copper, it makes the sterling silver harder and more durable. I use quality sterling silver for all of my findings, ear wires, chains and extension chains.

Thai and Karen Hill Tribe silver contains at least 95% pure silver, often as much as 99%. This makes it softer and more suitable for more decorative designs and stamping. This is why there are so many fabulous and intricately made Hill Tribe beads and pendants.

I am committed to only using quality sterling silver (whether it is Hill Tribe or .925 silver) as all of my jewellery is nickel free.

 

What is “vintage” about your jewellery and what does that mean?

Although I’ve been making jewellery for eight years, I’ve been a magpie-like bead addict for many years. I live in Central London and frequently visit all the fabulous markets dotted around the city (I’m a regular at Portobello Market) where I always find vintage gems from the 1920’s onwards. So the vintage items in my jewellery, are exactly that…vintage!

I’ve also inherited a lot over the years from people who have travelled the world throughout the last century and have amongst my collection some gorgeous vintage pearls from Singapore from the 1930’s and some beautifully made Czech glass beads smuggled out in the 1970’s!

I love mixing quality vintage items with contemporary beads and findings – it means you really are getting a unique piece of jewellery. All of the vintage components that I use have been carefully cleaned and brought back to life. I only ever use brand new findings and chains to attach these beads to the rest of my jewellery – and everything is, of course, nickel free.

 

Any other questions?

If you have any other questions, just click on the contact link on the home page and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.