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Welcome to the website of lampwork artist
Carli Hall. I specialise in unique, lampworked beads and one of a kind
jewellery. My fascination with glass is something that has been a constant
companion for the last 10 years and has culminated in this website.
On this site, I offer you my glass creations,
both bead sets and made jewellery. Please use the navigation bar to visit the
pages of my site. Don't hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss a
custom order.
WHAT IS LAMPWORKING?
By working molten glass
in a process called Lampworking. That is because in the old days, glassworkers
would use the flame of an oil lamp as a heat source to melt the glass.
Glass comes in rods of
many different colours. These are hand pulled in Murano, Italy. The ending of the
glass rod becomes molten in the high temperature flame of the torch. These days
gas/oxygen torches are the most common lampworking tools.
As soon as the glass is
heated enough and becomes flexible, it is wound around stainless steel wire
(mandrel). The core of the bead is shaped and decorated with stringers and other
techniques. Layers can be added on top of each other to achieve different
effects. Precious metals can be incorporated into bead designs.
After the bead is finished,
it is placed into a kiln, to soak in a high temperature heat to relieve all the
possible stress inside and to prevent bead from cracking. When cooled down, the
beads are taken off the mandrels and cleaned. They are now 'bead-licious' and ready for your
designs!
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