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Historically lampwork beads were beads made by melting and forming raw glass over the open flame of an oil lamp. Today a torch is used to heat glass rods to over 1700°F. The molten glass is wound on a mandrel (a stainless steel rod) and shaped into a bead using gravity and various tools.

I use "soda-lime" glass and properly anneal the beads in a bead kiln.

Seed beads are manufactured small beads (like small round seeds). They come in many colors and range in size from 11/0 to 15/0.

When a bead is annealed it is heated to a temperature which allows the molecules of the glass to rearrange themselves, reducing internal stress, thereby tempering and strengthening the bead.

We use fine silver (.999), sterling silver, 14 KT gold filled, and 14 KT gold materials in our jewelry.

• Fine silver, or 99.9% silver, is too soft for most jewelry uses, although we do use it for bezels, casting, and in other specific areas.
• Sterling silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
• 14 KT gold filled material is made by heat and pressure-bonding 14 karate gold to a brass core. The material we use is 14/20 gold filled. That means it is 5% 14 karate gold by weight. Gold filled material has an actual layer of gold covering the core, rather than just the microscopic layer as does gold-plated material, and is much more durable.
• 14 KT gold is an alloy of 58.33% (14/24ths) gold and other metals, most likely silver and copper.

A typical handmade chain bracelet might cost $100 in sterling silver, $112 in 14 KT gold filled, and $1,650 in 14 KT gold.

For our ring chains we start by wrapping sterling silver or gold filled wire around a mandrel to form a coil of the correct diameter for the rings we need to make the chain. The coil is then cut perpendicular to the wrapped wire to form rings. Each ring is opened, inserted through other rings to form the interlocking chain pattern, and closed. The ring ends are butted together, although some rings that might be stressed, e.g., connecting to the clasp, will be soldered closed.

Chains which involve multiple rings between links are not generally soldered unless there is an obvious structural weakness caused by not soldering the link.

Caution: We do not recommend the following method of removing tarnish if the jewelry contains dyed, delicate or easily damaged stones such as Malachite, Opal, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Coral, Amber, Pearls, etc.

Tarnish may be removed from sterling silver jewelry by soaking it for a few minutes in a small aluminum pot, or a small pot lined with aluminum foil, and a mixture of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon liquid soap dissolved in hot water. The metal of the jewelry must be touching the aluminum pot, or the foil. If the tarnish is stubborn, bring the mixture to a slow simmer for a couple of minutes. Rinse the jewelry in water and wash before wearing.