1. Intermediate
  2. Project 9 steps

Psyche glass lampwork star bead

This bead is made using silvered glass but you can also achieve a beautiful effect by using traditional glass. It is made by layering dots of different colours. By Beverley Hicklin

The Artist

Beverley Hicklin

As well as selling her beads and jewellery kits, Beverley also teaches beginner and refresher classes in lampwork bead making at her studio near Horsham in West Sussex. For more information visit: www.beverleyhicklin.co.uk

Tools & Materials

  • One rod each of the following colours:
    Effetre ink blue
    Effetre transparent pale amethyst
    Effetre transparent dark turquoise
    Double helix psyche
    Double helix triton
    GT Glassworks black nebula
  • Dual or single fuel torch
  • 1 pre-dipped 1.6mm stainless steel mandrel
  • Stainless steel pick (or thick glass stringer)
  • Stainless steel 'mashers' (optional)
  • Hand held marver (optional)
  • Kiln to anneal bead
  • Badger balm or olive oil

Step 1

Start by making a small core bead in your chosen colour (I used the ink blue). The bead should be about 12mm by 8mm but you can make this larger if you wish. (If necessary, use a pair of stainless steel 'mashers' to gently straighten the bead so it is more doughnut shaped than round).

Step 2

Taking a rod of silvered glass (I started with psyche), melt a large dot and apply to the outer edge of the bead. Repeat this all around the bead to make 6 in total, although 5 dots looks just as effective if you prefer. At this point I create a reduction flame (achieve this by either increasing your propane or reducing your oxygen) and bathe the bead in the reduced flame to activate the silver in the glass. (You may need to do this a few times to get the colour you want). Return the flame to a neutral one before progressing to Step 3.

Step 3

Next apply a large dot to the top of each point using the pale amethyst rod and melt in.

Step 4

Continue by adding more layers to your points, here I've used triton glass and have reduced the flame to activate the glass. As your dots grow you might like to flatten the tops off a little using a marver to allow you to build up more layers.

Step 5

Melt in the triton layer and reduce the flame. It is important that you keep all of your points warm as you are working so that you don't allow the bead to cool and potentially crack.

Step 6

Add a layer of the effetre transparent dark turquoise to the points and melt in. Be careful when melting in your dots that you don't lose your shape - you want the points to be centred and in line with each other and obviously of equal size.

Step 7

Continue building up layers until you are happy with the size of the points. You want to aim for about 8 or more layers to give you a layered effect. Alternate transparent colours with the silvered glass.

Step 8

Making sure your bead is centred and straight, rake the points using a stainless steel pick. (You can do this with a thick stringer of glass if you prefer but either way, work out of the flame when raking). Turning down the flame of your torch so that you only heat one point at a time, choose a point and heat one side until fairly soft. DO NOT overheat and lose the shape! Come out of the flame and immediately, using your pick (or stringer), drag the glass down towards the mandrel (but not touching). Do not dig in too deep, just enough to get a grip and move the glass.

Step 9

Remembering to flash heat the remainder of the bead while you work, repeat Step 8 on each point on one side. Repeat on the opposite side so that all 12 sides have been raked. Complete the bead by adding final dots of colour to the points to give the bead a nice neat finish. You could plunge a hole in the points and cover with a dot of transparent glass to trap a bubble if you would like a different effect. Place in a kiln to anneal.

fashion tips

A modern arty handmade bracelet deserves well cut, statement clothing. Let the designer within express herself and dare to be different. Geometric patterns, unusual fasteners, pleats, appliqué and textured finishes.

irregular choice can can stars ribbon tie shoes £53.62 from Schuh

goldie top £19.99, skinny jeans £29.99, clutch £12.99 all from Republic

Rings from £3 New Look

beverley's tips

  • To achieve some depth, make sure that you use both transparent and opaque colours
  • Try experimenting with layers of frit or enamels as well as glass
  • Instead of raking the dots at the end, try raking every few layers to get a multi raked effect

Contact details

website: www.beverleyhicklin.co.uk
email: enquiries@beverleyhicklin.co.uk