Studio Buttons And Beads

If you are looking for quality handmade lampwork beads or unique glass studio buttons, you are at the right place. I am a self representing artist and make my own glass beads from a wide variety of glass.

I first began making lampwork beads in early 1999. Over the years I have learned many techniques in glass working, my favorite being in the field of murrine or cane work.  I like to use murrine to add impossibly small details to my sculptural and encased lampwork bead styles.

My tools of the trade are an oxygen/propane torch, my current favorite being the Knight Bullet Burner, various small hand tools, and glass, of course. I anneal all my work in a digitally controlled kiln to assure a lasting work of art.

Halloween is my favorite holiday season, so you will see many witches year round. I also love to make fairies, mermaids, and goddesses.

I make my own canes, known as murrine and sometimes as millefiore. The techniques are similar to the way polymer clay artists build canes, except I work with molten glass. My canes are directly assembled in the flame and can involve days of making and assembling various parts to complete a final product suitable for use in my lampwork beads and buttons.

Assorted murrini slices, nipped from lengths of cane and ready for use in my buttons and beads.

I also enjoy creating studio buttons for collectors.  My collectible glass studio buttons are signed with a signature cane on the back and have polished copper shanks embedded in them.