Beautiful and unique handmade lampwork glass beads individually designed and created by Kathryn Ward BA Hons Using the ancient technique of lampworking, I create each bead in my workshop by melting glass rods using a nortel minor torch and oxycon (photo on right shows a Hothead, my beginner's torch!), and then cool them slowly using my digitally controlled kiln which allows the glass to harden gradually, reducing stress within the beads which can lead to them breaking. This process is known as annealing.. many mass produced beads are not annealed. My designs are sometimes planned, but often spontaneous creations, and colours and effects are often dependant on the conditions under which they are made, meaning no two are ever exactly the same! I use Italian (effetre), Vetrofond, Double Helix, CIM, ASK and Northstar glass, along with pure silver, dichroic glass and other additions. Even though I anneal my beads to give them the best possible start, and durability, they are still made of glass and could break if not treated with care. Please be careful with broken glass! Also, they are not suitable for children and pets, as beads can present a choking hazard. #W74