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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer wholesale? TOP
Yes, please contact Dianna for details. Do you take custom orders? TOP
We will try our best to accommodate any custom orders. What is lampworking? TOP
Most people have heard of glass blowing, but seem to be new to the term lampworking. You can find more technical information about lampworking online, but I’m going to give you my definition. Lampworking has been around a very long time and the term lampworking comes from the fact that early artists used an oil lamp to make their glass creations. Of course, I don’t have that kind of time on my hands, so I prefer a torch that mixes oxygen and propane to get a flame that is hot enough to melt glass. I use soda lime glass which is also referred to as soft glass, although hard or borosilicate glass can also be used in glass bead making. The glass comes to me as rods that are about the diameter of a No. 2 pencil. I can heat up the end of these rods into a "gather." This molten glob of glass can then be pulled into a "stringer" to decorate the glass or wound onto a metal rod dipped in bead release called a mandrel. A stringer is a very thin rod of glass that can be used for anything from flowers to dots or lines on a bead. The mandrel is what the bead is actually made on and will be removed once the bead is cooled. That is how a hole is made in the bead. The bead must be kept hot through this entire process because if it gets too cool and is placed back in the flame for more decoration, the bead can "pop" and then suddenly, you end up with two bead halves instead of one bead. The beads are then placed in a kiln for annealing, but you can read about that in another FAQ. What is annealing? TOP
Annealing makes a glass piece stronger by relieving the stress in the glass that is created during the lampworking process. Finished pieces are placed in a kiln to cool. Sounds weird, right? I want the glass to sit at about 960 degrees, (depending on the glass) until the beads are the same temperature throughout. This lessons the stress that happens when the outside of the glass cools quicker than the inside. Once I’ve finished my glass work for a day and have a kiln full of beads, the kiln is allowed to slowly cool down. Annealed beads last longer than ones that are left to cool on their own in a fiber blanket, etc. What types of glass do you use? TOP
I mainly use Effetre glass for my lampworking. I also use some Vetrofond and Lauscha. I hope to try some Satake soon. For all our fusing projects, we use Bullseye. Do you have a return policy? TOP
Yes, we want you to be satisfied with your purchase. Returns must be made within 15 days of delivery date. Returns on custom or handcrafted jewelry will receive store credit. Custom or personalized merchandise will be subject to a 15% restocking fee. Please contact us for instructions prior to returning merchandise. What are acceptable payment methods? TOP
We accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover cards. You may also pay via Paypal or with a money order. How will my purchase be shipped? TOP
We ship USPS first class. Expedited methods such as priority and express shipping are available for an additional cost. How should I care for my jewelry? TOP
We use sterling silver, vermeil, and gold filled findings. Sterling silver will tarnish depending on your skin chemistry. For best results and to keep your jewelry shiny, try not to wear it when you are showering, sleeping, or working out. Sweat and oils from your skin can make the silver turn dark quicker. There are many cleaners that are available to clean jewelry, but please make sure your cleaner is made to clean all the components of your jewelry.
Our lampworked beads are glass. They are kiln annealed for strength, but can break if dropped on a hard surface such as concrete. If this should happen to you, we will do our best to recreate your item if you so desire. Since the pieces are handcrafted, each one is unique and we cannot guarantee a replacement will be identical. |
