Amanda Glanville
Lampworked glass
In all of my jewellery and other objects in the gallery, the glass beads have been designed and melted by me. The process starts with me ‘catching’ a large pea-sized drop of glass from a solid coloured rod around a thin metal rod (mandrel). This is how you form the hole, as part of the bead when it’s hot.
The mandrel has been dipped in a bead release liquid – similar to kiln wash used by potters – and the initial round shape can be gently manipulated and patterned using more glass and small tools – some dentist tools are particularly good.
Each bead takes between 5 minutes and ½ an hour to make. Some complex beads can take an hour or more. Once the design is complete, they are immediately put to cool in a special bead kiln where they remain for 5 or more hours, cooling very slowly. Finally they are removed from the mandrel, cleaned and gently filed to ensure a smooth hole. Then it’s time to start the jewellery or miniature picture design process!
I began bead making in 1996 and have become well known for making very small bead designs which include fungi, rockets, birds, cacti, acorns and more. I am a Founder Member of Glass Bead Makers UK and am part of the small team who co-ordinate Warwickshire Open Studios.
My tiny designs delight and confound people in equal measure!








