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Welcome...

to the wonderful world of hot glass.

From Grains of Sand glass artist Bob Hoffmeyer creates his lampworked beads, fused glass pendants, and jewelry in Makawao, Maui, Hawaii. He combines his handmade beads and pendants with semi-precious gemstones, Swarovski crystals, Czech and Japanese glass beads, fresh water pearls, and sterling silver and 14kt gold to make one of a kind necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and pendulums.


LAMPWORKED BEADS

Lampworked beads are handmade using an ancient technique of melting glass and wrapping it around a steel rod. The term "lampworked" originated in 17th century France and Italy when oil lamps and blowpipes provided the heat. Today propane/oxygen torches are used but the technique is largely unchanged.



FUSED GLASS

This process involves selecting and cutting cold pieces of glass of various colors and then arranging them in a design. The design is then lightly held in place with glue and the whole assemblage is placed in a kiln and fired at temperatures up to 1550 degrees. As the glass heats, it begins to melt until it fuses together with the colors combining, yet not mixing, to become a single piece.