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Unique functional glass art & handcrafted jewelry.

Welcome to the Jewels by Joan home page. Here you will see unusual, unique, wearable and functional glass art pieces containing handmade glass beads. I make these beads from Venetian Murano glass, dichroic glass, Double Helix silver glass, fine silver, gold, palladium and silver foil. Each piece is one-of-a-kind.

This is not a store. Because each piece is unique, I can’t show everything I make. BUT, I can replicate most pieces, as well as change colors, designs. Custom orders are encouraged. So please browse through the gallery, and contact me if you see something you like. I will follow up sending you photos of what I have on hand.

The beads are made using a technique called lampwork. The glass is melted around a steel rod, using a propane-oxygen torch. Once melted, the bead is shaped, and then decorated with other glass or fine metal wire or foil. It is painting with molten glass.

If made into jewelry the beads are combined with semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystal and sterling silver or gold-filled findings. The giftware beads are mounted on stainless steel or gold- or silver-filled pieces.