How do I care for my new jewelry? 

I use Sunshine polishing cloths to keep all my jewelry pieces bright, shiny & clean. These cloths are a great value as they have the polishing compound built into the material. Just use them until they turn completely black. They will keep both your sterling silver as well as your glass beads and crystals bright and shiny. You can order the Sunshine polishing cloths through my website for just $3 on the Pendant & earring set page.

What type of metal do you use?

I use only the best Sterling Silver in my designs, no silverplate or base metals.

Do you have a store?

My Studio is in my home in Virginia Beach, VA. I see customers there by appointment only. I do quite a few shows every year throughout Virginia, North Carolina and the surrounding area. You ca always check my website to find out what shows I have coming up. My designs are in a few shops throughout the area as well. You can check out where to find my designs on the “Where to find me” page. If you know of a quality gift shop, boutique or gallery in your area that may be interested in carrying my designs please feel free to drop me a line and let me know. I would certainly appreciate it. There are also a number of pieces online for you to purchase. 

Can I get a piece custom made?

Of course! I am happy to do custom orders. Whether it is to match a particular outfit, for a very special gift, or just to change a piece that you have seen to make it exactly what you want… my goal is to make you the perfect piece you will be thrilled to own or give as a gift. Just e-mail me or call me to go over the details for your piece or to make an appointment. 

Do glass beads break easily?

If the lampwork glass beads have been made properly then they are very sturdy and strong. All of my beads are kiln-annealed to guarantee your new bead creations will last a lifetime. This means that as soon as the beads are finished in the flame, they are moved to a kiln that is held at a temperature of approximately 960 degrees. When I have finished creating for the day, the beads are held in the kiln for about another hour at this temperature and then slowly cooled down at a controlled rate. This ensures that the molecules within the glass have a chance to re-arrange themselves and ‘rest’ in a comfortable configuration. Any other process of cooling glass beads is insufficient to alleviate the stress within the glass that comes from extreme temperature changes.

Why do they call it Lampwork glass?

Many years ago they used a flame lamp to create the beads. Today thanks to the advances of modern technology, we use a torch.

Do you ever use gold in your designs?

I will create a design for you in 14K gold or 14K gold-filled upon request. Just contact me so we can discuss your design.