
Vetro Bello da Michele
(Beautiful Glass by Michele)
Welcome to my website! At this site you will find beautiful lamp work
jewelry, lamp work beads, and a list of my show dates.
What is lamp work jewelry you ask? Lampworking is the craft/art of making
glass beads by hand. Over two thousand years ago the Romans created this
technique, using oil lamps to melt glass- hence the name lamp work.
Today, we use a little more technology, with a fixed oxygen - propane torch. Glass
rods are heated to a temperature of 2000 degrees and then are shaped
around a metal rod to create the bead. This is a time consuming process of
steady hand and precision. Glass tends to have a mind of its own! So
taming it is a real accomplishment! Different colors of glass are then
added to the base bead, to create the final product. Other elements that I
incorporate into my beads are fine silver, gold and copper, colored
enamels, reduction frits, and some semi- precious stones. The beads are
then kiln- annealed ( between 950 and 975 degrees Fahrenheit) this process
strengthens the bead, and makes them incredibly durable. Then each bead is
inspected under a magnifier, and thoroughly cleaned.
I hope you like what you see, and chose to add some of my lovelies to your
collection. And remember, I you don't see anything that strikes your fancy,
I also do custom work! Just contact me via
email.
Thanks for stopping by!
Be sure to visit often!