AnnieAlta

Handmade Lampwork Beads, Bead Sets and Jewelry

Bellevue, Washington On Etsy since 2017

37 Sales | 5 out of 5 stars

Top shop for gifts.

A buyer bought a gift from this shop and gave it a 5-star review!

AnnieAlta

Handmade Lampwork Beads, Bead Sets and Jewelry

Bellevue, Washington | 37 Sales

5 out of 5 stars

Shop owner

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Announcement    Hello and welcome to my Etsy shop.

I craft one-of-a-kind lampwork beads here in my studio in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

One could string handmade beads and jewelry to the moon and back, so what sets Annie Alta apart? I focus on creating delicate encased floral beads - a technique that's taken years to learn. Each glass color has a different viscosity, different levels of heat tolerance, and different reactions to other colors. Building tiny layers of glass requires a steady hand, attention to detail, and holding my breath a lot!

If you design your own jewelry, my desire is that my beads can contribute meaningfully to your work.

The lampworking process begins with choosing glass-compatible colors and composition. The glass is worked in a 4800-degree oxygen/propane flame, I melt colors layer by layer then apply shaping and rounding techniques. The bead then cools in a kiln over 8 hours to stabilize the glass molecules.

Been working with hot glass for ten years now and it is my paradise found. Every day is a new day of creating. Making something beautiful for you or someone you love brings me joy. So blessed by fellow lampworkers, jewelers, and customers.

Thank you for stopping by. Thank you for supporting lampworkers and valuing our products. You are our oxygen!

Val

Announcement

Last updated on Jun 22, 2020

Hello and welcome to my Etsy shop.

I craft one-of-a-kind lampwork beads here in my studio in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

One could string handmade beads and jewelry to the moon and back, so what sets Annie Alta apart? I focus on creating delicate encased floral beads - a technique that's taken years to learn. Each glass color has a different viscosity, different levels of heat tolerance, and different reactions to other colors. Building tiny layers of glass requires a steady hand, attention to detail, and holding my breath a lot!

If you design your own jewelry, my desire is that my beads can contribute meaningfully to your work.

The lampworking process begins with choosing glass-compatible colors and composition. The glass is worked in a 4800-degree oxygen/propane flame, I melt colors layer by layer then apply shaping and rounding techniques. The bead then cools in a kiln over 8 hours to stabilize the glass molecules.

Been working with hot glass for ten years now and it is my paradise found. Every day is a new day of creating. Making something beautiful for you or someone you love brings me joy. So blessed by fellow lampworkers, jewelers, and customers.

Thank you for stopping by. Thank you for supporting lampworkers and valuing our products. You are our oxygen!

Val

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Annie Alta

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Annie Alta

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5 out of 5 stars
(17)
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About AnnieAlta

Sales 37
On Etsy since 2017
  • Start with glass - Every color in the rainbow. Need to know how each color reacts to the heat and other colors.
  • Squish, decorate, shape the hot glass. Pull strings of glass to decorate the bead. First the earth, then the flowers...
  • Round the bead then maybe encase with clear glass. Patience... but if you hold your breath, you turn blue!
  • The torch with the flame on is such a peaceful place.
  • Finally, create the jewelry. String and re-string until the colors, shapes, and sizes are just right.

The Story of Annie Alta

I Love the flame. How can melted glass be so obstinately stubborn and un-malleable, then poof! - beautiful beads appear from the flame? Magic. No other explanation.

My name is Val. I started lampworking in 2010 to honor my mom and the strong beautiful women who helped shape my soul. The shop's name (Annie Alta) pays tribute to Aunt Ann, who loved to sketch flowers and trees, and Gramma Alta, who was the essence of steadfast compassion, faith, love and positivity to everyone around her.

I hope you like my work. If you are a jeweler and want a special bead or bead set for a project, let me know. If you are planning a wedding and want custom beads or necklaces in your wedding colors, or a mom/daughter necklace set, let me know.

Thank you for visiting. Be safe. Stay strong. Remember what matters. Be kind to you always.

Shop members

  • Annie Alta - Val

    Owner

    Lampworker since 2011. Living a blessed life working with hot glass, jewelry, and my wonderful customers. Gaining wisdom, patience, (and great reflexes) one hot bead at a time.

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More information

Last updated on May 3, 2020
Frequently asked questions
Custom and personalized orders

I can extend the length of any necklace by adding a color coordinated chain at the neck. Just tell me how much longer you need it to be.

I can stamp initials or a short word or two on a color coordinated metal charm and attach it at the clasp.

I can change any clasp from a magnet clasp to a color-coordinated toggle, lobster, or hook and eye.