AnnieAlta

Announcement    Happy new year to my wonderful friends and customers! Hope you are healthy, happy, and leaning into the longer days and brighter times ahead. How to say thank you to fellow artists and kind-hearted souls who purchase from my Etsy shop? I wish I had words. Thank you so very much.

My passion is creating encased floral glass lampwork beads. I fire up a Bethleham brand Alpha Bravo torch hooked to an oxygen concentrator and propane to melt glass into stringers. I use these stringers like paintbrushes to make pretty beads (and always a few wonky beads. Laughing!). An old coffee grinder serves as the perfect frit maker to make custom frit color combinations - just the right size for the encased beads.

Each glass color has a different viscosity, different levels of heat tolerance, and different reactions to heat and nearby other colors. Building tiny layers of glass requires a steady hand and attention to detail in the flame. Encasing with clear needs patience and no smooshing the flowers! All beads are kiln-annealed overnight, washed, and drill cleaned.

I offer free shipping over $35, and will gladly combine shipping. My studio is here in Washington state, which is where I ship from. I use Pirate Ship to keep the cost as low as possible.

If you would like to swap a clasp from one type to another (magnetic to claw for example) let me know. I'll always include pony lacing cord with your bead order so you can line the beads for a snugger fit. Or, I can pre-line your beads, let me know!

You have kept me going when local shows and venues had to cancel month after month and our lives turned upside down. Not sure what the new normal will be for so many of us, but sensing it will be good and we'll sort things out. So grateful for your purchases and your wonderful notes. Here's to brighter days ahead with love and laughter, hugs, and gratitude.

An extra special thank you for supporting lampworkers and valuing our products. You truly are our oxygen.

Hugs,

Val