Stella Bellesa

Stella Bellesa Stella Bellesa is the jewelry line of lampwork Artist, Sandra Barrow. http://beadsbysandra.blogspot.com/

Q&A
How do you make a bead? Why is it called lampwork?

With a nod towards modern whimsy and a wink at imaginative flair, Stella Bellesa outfits today’s fashion-forward female in smart Lampwork Jewelry designed by Sandra Barrow in her Charlotte studio. Visit the artist at local art shows or find her one-of-a-kind pieces online at www.stellabellesa.com. Adding items slowly to my online shop at www.stellabellesa.etsy.com or check out my blog- starting it

up again! I use a mixed gas/oxygen torch to heat a rod of glass then i spin this molten glass onto a metal rod called a mandrel which has been dipped in bead release. I use thinner strings of glass to decorate the bead. When I am happy with my creation I place it in my kiln which has been programmed to anneal the bead-
What is annealing? its the process of holding the beads at a certain temperature then slowly cooling them till room temperature. Mass produced beads are not annealed properly and have a much greater risk of cracking due to stress caused by rapid temperature changes. Can you use any kind of glass? I buy my glass from several different manufactures that test the glassfor compatibility. I use Effetre, Vetrofond, CIM, Double Helix, Lauscha and a few others. The glass I use has been tested at COE (Coefficient of Expansion) 104. The lower the number the harder the glass. I use a soft glass for my work. How long does it take to make a bead? Anywhere from a few minutes to 30+ minutes. It depends on how many layers, colors and details are on the bead. Also once I have 'mastered a style, I can go a little faster. In the 19th century women in there homes used oil lamps to decorate glass beads. Now torchwork or flamework is used interchangeably with lampwork. Do you ever get bored? Creating glass beads is part science, art, craft and pyromania- I could never get bored!

Stay tuned !! Coming soon!! Tons of original, one of a kind lampwork beads will be up for sale! Feel free to contact me ...
08/31/2015

Stay tuned !! Coming soon!! Tons of original, one of a kind lampwork beads will be up for sale!
Feel free to contact me with questions or private showing.

04/29/2012

As always, I had a great time at Crafty Feast. A lot of talented Artists and wonderful people came out. So happy that I got to meet a few of them!

04/28/2012

On our way to Craft Feast in South Carolina! Come by and say hi!

03/02/2012
90 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the lotus jewelry line will go to helping Rebecca Powell reach her goal. Rea...
02/27/2012

90 percent of the proceeds from the sale of the lotus jewelry line will go to helping Rebecca Powell reach her goal. Read more about this here :http://rebeccabee.blogspot.com/

02/25/2012
02/22/2012

Had a great day in the studio, making more encased lotus flowers. I cannot wait to see them after they've annealed. I have been trying to make encased lotus beads for some time and I have finally figured how to do it right consistently. It's funny how it happens, after trying and trying to figure it out and then presto, it happen, like magic. Really it comes down to heat control but it feels like magic. :)

encased lotus flower pendant
02/18/2012

encased lotus flower pendant

Just had to share some pictures from the project I am working on, these will be available soon!
02/18/2012

Just had to share some pictures from the project I am working on, these will be available soon!

02/11/2012

Have you been to my Etsy shop yet ? I am up and running - would love some feedback! Thanks

Lampwork beads and jewelry made by me, Sandra Barrow.
01/05/2012

Lampwork beads and jewelry made by me, Sandra Barrow.

01/03/2012

It was surprisingly comfortable in the studio today. I was able to make a few frogs and owls, hoping to get another hour in the studio before I set the kiln to anneal for the night. Posting pics tomorrow!

01/03/2012

Hoping it will 'warm up' enough in the studio for some melting fun. Little frogs and owls don't make themselves!

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Charlotte, NC

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Videos

at the torch
at the torch

This video was taken Oct 2009. It's just a glimpse at what I do. Music is on - so you may want to turn it down before watching :)

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