#R99
© copyright 2011
Web design by Lesley Rands
updated May 2011
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Welcome to my website, especially if it is your first visit. All my beads and jewellery are handmade and have been individually designed & crafted which ensures that every piece is unique.
Last year I was lucky enough to attend a lampwork class with the highly successful & accredited artist Kate Drew Wilkinson. Kate, born in England but now based in Arizona, is one of the founders of lampworking and now, at the prime of her years, has become passionate about imparting her knowledge to as many artists as possible. Her experience & motivation is inspirational to all her students. Her unique style of beads create miniature worlds of imagination, with many layers of glass built up with precious metals and semi precious inclusions, creating intricate landscapes within. I have tried to bring Kate’s techniques into my current range of beads.
Many of you will know that I write for the very successful Making Jewellery magazine, which is published by the Guild of Master Craftsmen, but I have also just finished writing the techniques section for a new lampworking book by Joan Gordan. The book is currently listed on Amazon.
IIf you decide to have a look at the beads and jewellery that I have for sale, you will find a link to my Etsy store below.
You can also buy my designer beads at the
'Highly Strung' Bead shop,
10 Cross Street.
Burnham-on-Sea,
Somerset, TA8 1BN
For those of you that are new to lamp work beads, they are made from rods of clear or coloured glass which are melted in a propane/oxygen flame, shaped onto a stainless steel mandrel and then decorated. The beads are then soaked in a kiln at a constant temperature to strengthen the structure of the glass to prevent the bead from shattering with the extremes of temperature.
I started flameworking in July 2007 as a hobby, but its fascination and magic soon took hold and has inspired me to progress and put together a collection to display and sell.
I am based in the small sea side town of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, which is in the South West of the UK. My studio is in a converted room in our Victorian terraced house, which allows me to practice my skills comfortably.
Finally, a photograph of my 'statement' piece which I completed for a photo shoot earlier this year.
