🪄The Magic Behind the Glass
At Purring Embers Studio, every tiny charm, bead, and bauble is born in fire. All of our jewellery begins with a centuries-old technique called lampworking—a mesmerizing process that transforms solid glass rods into delicate, one-of-a-kind treasures. ✨
💡 So, what is Lampwork?
Lampworking is a type of flameworking where glass is melted using a focused flame—reaching temperatures over 1000°C (1832°F)! Once molten, the glass becomes soft and malleable, allowing it to be shaped, sculpted, and coaxed into miniature forms with tools, gravity, and a lot of patience.
Traditionally done using oil lamps (hence the name!), modern lampwork is now powered by a torch fed with oxygen and fuel gas (like your cooking gas 🍳). It’s a dance between heat and movement, where timing is everything and every swirl or dot is made by hand—no molds, no shortcuts, just artistry in motion.🔥💫
🔥From Flame to Bead
Each piece you see in our shop is crafted one at a time by Amanda, the maker behind Purring Embers. Whether it’s a cheeky corn charm 🌽, a tiny vibrant lovebird 🦜, or a dreamy glass bead, it starts with a simple rod of coloured glass. Here's a peek at how it happens:
Step 1: Gathering Glass Rods
We start with high-quality rods of Italian, German or China glass, known for their wide range of vibrant colours and durability. These rods are selected based on the design—whether it’s a juicy carrot🥕 or a cute lil' cat.🐱
Step 2: Melting & Shaping
Using a bench torch, Amanda gently melts the glass, guiding the molten flow around a steel mandrel. Layer by layer, the charm takes shape through heat, gravity, and a touch of intuition.🔥
Step 3: Annealing
Once shaped, each piece is placed in a kiln for annealing. This is a slow, controlled cooling process that relieves internal stress (like cracks) and ensures your charm is strong, durable, and built to last.💪
Step 4: Cleaning & Assembly
After annealing the kiln, every charm is carefully cleaned, and polished.🧼 The charms are then assembled with sterling silver or 14K gold-filled findings, high quality freshwater pearls and precious crystal beads—before being turned into a finished piece of jewellery.
💕 Why It Matters
Lampwork isn’t just a method—it’s a love language.💘 Each charm takes time, care, and attention to craft. Because everything is made by hand, no two pieces will ever be exactly alike. We think that’s the best part. You’re not just wearing jewellery—you’re wearing a tiny work of art made just for you.
So when you choose a piece from us Purring Embers Studio, you’re not just supporting handmade—you’re bringing a little spark of fire-forged magic into your day🔥🐾
