Lampwork beads

[LauraT]

Hi there
Iknow there have been loads of threads about this but I just want to ask if anyone can reccomend a good supplier of Lampwork beads? I am looking for some thinga little bit unique and handmade too.
Anyone have any ideas?

many thanks

Laura x

[AmyE]

have you been on the Frit happens flickr group? http://www.flickr.com/groups/frithappens/
There are loads of talented lamwork bead artists - if you go to their individual pages and in their profile it usually has a link to where they sell. I have bought from a couple of people i found on there and was very pleased!

[Peter]

We have our own lampwork maestro...........ess? Emma Jane Ralph at.......
http://www.ejrbeads.co.uk/

[mizgeorge]

To be fair, I think there are quite a few lampworkers around here!

[Dagna]

A selection from my bookmarks:

http://www.britishlampwork.co.uk/ - a group of lampwork bead makers
http://www.lampworkbeadsbyrob.com/index.htm
http://www.flameandglass.com/gallery_21724.html
http://www.firestonelampwork.com/ (I have just got a set of beads from here and they are gorgeous!)
http://www.rowanberryglass.com/

And go on to ebay and search for "hand made lamp work" in the UK!

[mizgeorge]

actually, hand made lampwork may bring up a pile of tat made in india and china, not annealed and not good quality.

You need to look for any/all of the following identifiers:

SRA
GBUK
FHF

If you're buying from someone you don't already know, try to make sure beads have been made by them personally (listings which refer to 'our' beads are often chinese factories), and have been annealed.

[LauraT]

Thanks for the lists of links.

I have had a look on ebay but there really doesn't seem to be anyhting very exciting at the moment, although I have ordered some to see what they are like. I will let you know.

I don't want the indian/chinese beads that have been made in factories - i want something that has a personality so I will follow the leads you have all given me.

Thanks


Laura

[mizgeorge]

You probably won't find much that's any use on ebay these days. Most sellers have either moved to etsy or artfire, or just use their own websites.

[crystaldreams]

may be!!

yeah
may be the web site is better

[silvermaid]

Oh gosh, I am a self-confessed lampwork junkie so my bookmarks are full up. Here are a few.
http://www.theflyingbead.co.uk/
http://www.funkycow.co.uk/
http://www.sublimebeads.co.uk/home.htm
http://flamingobeads.co.uk/
http://www.divinesparkdesigns.com/
http://www.aurorabeadz.co.uk/
http://www.bruntiesbeads.com/index.htm
http://www.silverartz.co.uk/
http://www.beadsontoast.com/
http://www.beads4breakfast.co.uk/
from ebay:
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/lalalampworkb..._from=&_ipg=25
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/wendyw4349/m...._from=&_ipg=25
Another identifier to look for on ebay is UKBM (UK Bead Maker)

Melanie

[ejralph]

Ah, thanks for the mention and kind comments Peter, although as George rightly points out the UK has some fantastic lampwork beads artists. You can find beads to suit all different styles, budgets etc.

Another good site to check out is http://www.britishlampwork.co.uk

By the way - Jane??

My middle name does begin with a J, but it certainly aint Emma Jane Ralph.

A free lampwork bead to anyone who correctly guesses what it is though

Emma