Click here for our mail order conditions of sale
Silver Leaf Beads by Penel
SILVERED
GLASS BEADS
Making
glass beads, known as lampworking, is an age old tradition currently
enjoying a worldwide revival. It is possible to add all sorts
of things to the glass to enhance the bead. Crushed glass (frit),
enamel powder and metals in the form of wire, leaf or foil can
all be used. The beads displayed here have all had fine silver
leaf, purchased from Will’s Quills, burnished onto a glass
core to begin.
Techniques
for effect
 
|
Further decoration as described in the following sections alters the basic appearance of the finished beads in a number of ways. All these 4 pictures have been encased in clear glass with stringers (fine threads) of coloured glass applied at random during the encasing process. |
 
|
Two views of a bead with more dramatic stringer work over the silver. Here the deeper coloured stringers have been allowed to sink further in before being encased. |
 
|
These two pictures show beads that have all been simply encased with clear glass over silver leaf. Although the silver leaf is from the same batch the colour changes to golds and blues occur at different temperatures. |
 
|
This pair of pictures show a bead from Penel's Organics range. Certain colours react with the silver to give surprising results. For example the mottled green is a silvered transparent red, this and other silvered stringers are used to get these effects. |
 
|
This last pair show the difference between a silvered stringer which has been left proud, and one which is melted further and fused in. Note the raised red decoration on the front bed, this is the same stringer that turned green in the second bead (behind). |
All beads
are for sale, and commissions are welcome.
You can contact Penel at pbeads88@yahoo.com.au
