This necklace started out as a heave Sterling Silver chain. The focal bead is a hollow bead lampworked using Moretti Glass Rods. The smaller beads are not hollow but all 4 are styled differently.
Wikipedia describes Lampwork as,"Lampworking is a type of glass work that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed by blowing and shaping with a variety of tools and hand movements. It is also known as flameworking or torchworking, as the modern practice no longer uses oil-fueled lamps. Although the art form has been practiced since ancient times, it became widely practiced in Murano, Italy in the 14th century. In the mid 19th century lampwork technique was extended to the production of paperweights, primarily in France, where it became a popular art form, still collected today."
"Early lampworking was done in the flame of an oil lamp, with the artist blowing air into the flame through a pipe. Most artists today use torches that burn either propane or natural gas, or in some countries butane, for the fuel gas, with either air or pure oxygen (which can be produced by an oxygen concentrator) as the oxidizer."
I took this process a step further and began using recycled wine bottle glass. Here are several Chardonnay beads strung on a Sterling Silver Snake Chain.
"Simply Chardonnay", can always be found at Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery on Prescott's Historical Whiskey Row"
Visit us for the 4th Friday Art Walk this Friday and pick up your tour map at the gallery, but first enjoy our Annual Holiday Party taking place this weekend.