Judith Johnston

Art glass jewellery, lampwork beads made from the heart

I design and make artisan lampwork beads and jewellery in my studio based in Hove.

Making beaded jewellery started out as a hobby when my children were very small. I moved on to making my own glass beads in 2002 and was completely hooked. For me melting glass in a torch flame is like meditating. Something about the glow of the molten glass, the way it moves like warm honey, trying to read the heat and giving it my full attention so I know when and how to work it and not burn myself. Over the years I have spent many hours at the torch, learning, playing and trying to perfect my techniques. Sometimes my failures turn out to be some of my best work, serendipity at it's best.

Art glass beads are created using an ancient technique called lampworking. Rods of glass are melted in the flame using a special torch (the lamp) then the molten glass is wrapped around a thin steel mandrel to form a bead. The bead is made from the centre working out, building layer upon layer with meticulous care and attention to detail. Some of the complex beads can take several hours to complete and often feature inclusions of precious metals, cubic zirconia and murrini - tiny chips of glass containing pictures such as flowers, butterflies and fish.
While it is possible to repeat a particular design in molten glass the results will always vary. Some differences in design, shape, size and colour are intrinsic to the bead making process which means that each piece is unique.

Once the lampwork beads are annealed, cooled and cleaned they are ready to make into jewellery. Using traditional silversmith techniques I combine precious metals with lampwork beads, gemstones and pearls to create original art glass jewellery.

Amethyst floral pendant necklace with cubic zirconia

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Amber rose floral drop earrings

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Art glass pendants - Circe

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Silver grey floral lampwork pendant

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Opal turquoise art glass floral pendant with butterfly and cubic zirconia

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Sapphire blue art glass necklace with butterfly and cubic zirconia

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Dusk - Purple art glass lampwork bead bracelet

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Ocean Dreaming - Turquoise art glass bead bracelet

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Moor Heather - Pink art glass bead bracelet

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Blue Art Glass Lampwork Bead Bracelet

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Sea Mist - Lampwork Art Glass Bead Bracelet

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