I am a retired biomedical research scientist that loves glass! I came to lampworking in a rather round about way. When I retired, I finally had time for long walks on the beach that soothed my soul and washed away the years of stress of the publish or perish world of research. I began collecting shells on those daily walks and as the bags and boxes of shells grew, I began looking for ways to use the shells. Thus began my adventure in wire wrapping and making jewelry! But wait! Shells need pretty embellishments and so came silver and gem stone beads. While cruising ebay for silver beads, I came across beautiful lampwork beads and of course had to have some of those too! The intricacy of the lampwork beads intrigued me and I began collecting books and searching the web for information on lampworking. I was hooked, do doubt about it!!

 

It all began with a hot head torch and a little glass on my back porch. It wasn't long before I acquired a Piranha oxy/propane torch and a rather large stash of pretty glass. I also moved inside to escape the brutal South Carolina lowcountry summers. I was mesmerized by the way glass flows when heated and delighted by the reactions between different glasses and between silver and the glass. Yup - Hooked!

 

All of the beads you'll find on this site are made by me in my little home studio in Charleston, SC. I love making the beads and hope that you will enjoy working with them!