Faq's
(Frequently Asked Questions)

  Here's where you'll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions I receive.  

Q.  What is lampworking?
A.  Lampworking is a centuries' old tradition of creating glass beads.  Back then the beads were made over a lamp, hence the name.  The process today is technically still the same, although more sophisticated methods of melting the glass are used.

Q.  What type of glass do you use?
A.  I predominantly work in a 'soft' glass known as soda lime glass, which is imported from Italy and manufactured by Effetre (formerly Moretti) and Vetrofond (formerly Murano), although I sometimes also use American Bullseye and German Lauscha glasses.

Q.  Do you use paint to put the designs on the beads?
A.  No!  This is one of the top questions I receive when it comes to the designs (along with, 'how did you get the flowers INSIDE the beads?').  All my beads, including the designs on and IN the beads, are created solely with glass - no paint or stencils are used.  The only other embellishments I might use from time to time to achieve certain effects are pure silver (higher grade than sterling), gold, palladium, platinum or copper foils.  Another substance beadmakers sometimes use is 'pixie dust' (its technical name is 'mica' - it's also often used in eyeshadows!) to add a sparkly effect.  Other than that, everything else you see is made with glass.

Q.  Do you use 'boro' (borosilicate) glass?
A.  No. Hard glasses, such as Pyrex, Northstar, etc, generally require a hotter torch to melt than I presently have.  That, coupled with the fact that hard glasses are much more expensive and very difficult to come by in Australia, make it virtually impossible for me to consider working with this type of glass at this point in time.

Q.  How did you learn to make beads?
A.  Other than a 2-day very basic introductory course, I am completely self-taught.  I learnt most of what I know from buying as many books on the subject as possible, talking with other beadmakers on the internet, and most of all, from the '3 P's' - practice, practice, practice!  

Q.  Do you teach?
A.  At this point in time, no.  When we finally have our new home built, and I have a fully-equipped studio, I might consider offering one-on-one classes.

Q.  What's the deal with 'annealing'?
A.  Once I have finished creating a bead, it is then placed into a kiln overnight to anneal it - basically annealing removes the internal stress created when melting and cooling the glass and ensures, that with proper care, the bead will last for many generations.  Most mass-produced lampwork beads, such as those made in India or the Czech Republic, are not annealed and are much more likely to break at some point.

Q.  I've heard that annealing makes the bead indestructible.  Is this really true?
Absolutely NOT!  This is a popular misconception I've seen, read, and heard, numerous times.  It's almost taken on the status of 'urban legend' in some glass circles.  The truth is, that annealing only removes the stress caused by the initial melting and cooling of the bead - it does NOT make the bead indestructible.  Glass is glass is glass - windows break, vases break, glass ornaments break and so can beads if they are not handled with respect.  Look at it another way - imagine you walk into an art gallery and buy a beautiful handmade vase.  You can safely assume that the artist that created this vase annealed it.  Would you then also assume that you can throw it on the ground or bounce it off a wall and it won't break?  Of course you wouldn't!  The same thing applies to glass beads.  As long as you treat them with respect and don't do anything silly with them (i.e. bang them against a very hard surface or throw them on the ground), they should last for many, many years.

Q.  Do you take custom orders for your beads?
A. Not very often.  I prefer to go in the direction my 'muse' wants me to go.  I will take the occasional custom order if I feel up to it, or if I'm not too busy.  Please check the Custom Orders page to see if I'm currently taking orders.  If you'd like to see what beads I currently have for sale, please visit my auctions on eBay.

Q.  Do you take custom orders for your jewellery?
A.  Yes, I do.  If you would like me to create a piece of jewellery just for you, please email me.

Q.  Do you take wholesale orders?
A.  No.

Q.  Do you have a shop I can visit?
A.  No.  I work out of my home studio, and all my sales are via the internet.

Q.  How will I know when you have new auctions listed and / or items for sale on your site?
A.  Please join the Mailing List to be kept up-to-date with the latest bead happenings.  Although I list sets all through the week, I generally only send out the newsletter once a week, so as not to overly annoy my subscribers.  Rest assured that I keep your personal details absolutely private and do not share them with anyone.  You can leave the newsletter at any time by revisiting the Mailing List page and unsubscribing yourself.  Alternatively, just visit the website to see what's new - all the auctions I list on eBay can be found in the 'sneak peek' preview on the Home Page.

Q.  I love your beads and would like to purchase them, but what do I do with them?
 A.  Beads are a very 'personal' thing - some people do nothing more than collect them, like bears or dolls.  However, most of my customers are jewellery designers and use them in their own designs.  Just do a search on the internet for 'lampwork jewellery' (or 'jewelry' if you're in the northern hemisphere) and you'll soon get an idea of what people do with them.  Alternatively, if you don't make your own jewellery but see some of my beads that you just HAVE to have, I'd be happy to discuss incorporating them into a piece, or pieces, of jewellery for you.

Q.  What forms of payment do you accept?
A.  From my Australian customers, I accept internet / direct deposit to my bank account, Australia Post Money Orders, or credit card payments through Paymate or Paypal.  I'm also happy to accept cash from Australian buyers if they collect the beads in person.  From my international customers, I accept credit card payments through Paypal only.

Q.  What's your shipping policy?
A.  I ship Mondays through to Fridays (excluding public holidays).  Your items will generally ship the day after I receive your payment.  Optional insurance is also available, and highly recommended.  Please inquire as to the relevant insurance costs for your country.

Q.  Do you have a return policy?
A.  Absolutely!  I want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase - you have seven (7) days from the date of receipt to return the items, in their original condition, if they are not what you expected.   I do request however that you contact me BEFORE returning the items.  Shipping, insurance, eBay and/or Paypal fees are non-refundable.  I am also not responsible for damages incurred on the items if they are shipped back to me, so I highly recommend that you insure the goods on returning them.  I also reserve the right to impose a 25% restocking fee on any returned items at my discretion.  

Q.  Do you have a print catalogue?
A.  As most of my beads sell at auction, I really don't have a need for a print catalogue.  If you're interested in perusing my past work, please visit my Gallery on GlassArtists.org.

Q.  I have pictures of items I've created with your beads, do you have an online Gallery I can showcase them in?
A.  Yes!  By all means feel free to email me with any and all pictures that include my beads and I'll be happy to add them, along with your contact info, in my Customer's Gallery on GlassArtists.org.

Q.  I'd really love to learn how to make lampwork beads - any suggestions?
A.  My personal opinion is that you can teach yourself just about everything without ever taking a class!  There are so many wonderful resources online, and so many fantastic people willing to share everything they know, that you'd be better off spending your money on books and glass than on a class (gee.. I'm a poet and didn't know it!).  Here's a few recommendations to get you started:

Books:

* Making Glass Beads - Cindy Jenkins *
* Beads of Glass - Cindy Jenkins *
Available at http://www.hotheadsource.com

Glass Forums:

Wet Canvas! (Glass Art Forum)
International Society of Glass Beadmakers

Online Resources Specific to Australians:

Yahoo Glass Beadmaker's Forum
Mirus Beads Glass Bead Makers Forum
Australian Glass Beadmakers' Guild