FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

I always try to improve my services for You. So if there are any questions left,
please contact me, I will find a solution for You :-)

What does "lampworked" mean?
Lampworking is a type of glasswork that uses a torch taht burns propane with oxigen
to melt rods of clear and colored glass. Once in a molten state, the glass is formed
by blowing and shaping with a variety of tools and hand movements. It is also known
as flameworking or torchworking. Although the art form has been practiced since
ancient times, it became widely practiced in Murano, Italy in the 14th century.
It was not until the late 1960s that lampwork became recognized as a serious art form
by German born lampwork glass artist Hans Godo Frabel who utilized his scientific glassblowing training to create relatively large pieces of lampwork glass art in borosilicate.

How is a bead made?
Four major items are needed to make a bead. These items include: a torch, glass rods,
bead release and mandrels. Mandrels are stainless steel rods of varying diameters that
are used to wrap the molten glass around. Each mandrel is dipped in a solution called
bead release prior to making any beads. Per its name, bead release helps keep the beads
from sticking to the mandrels. Once the mandrels have been dipped, the torch is used
to heat up the rods of glass to a melting temperature. Once the glass is molten, it becomes pliable and soft -- sort of like warm taffy. The molten glass is then wound around th
dipped mandrel until the desired bead size is obtained. Gravity will naturally pull the bead
into a round shape, and various lampworking tools can be used to manipulate the beads into a variety of other shapes (i.e. cubes, tiles, lentils, hearts, barrels...). Once the bead is finished, it is placed in a kiln to anneal overnight. The next day, the bead is removed from the mandrel, which is how the "hole" is created.

What is annealing?
Annealing is a process which removes the stress that forms within a bead while the bead
is being created. When a bead cools down, the inner temperature is much higher than the temperature of the bead's surface. This creates stress which can cause the bead to crack.
As such, the entire bead needs to be brought to the same temperature and "held" there for
an extended period of time. This is known as "soaking". A kiln is programmed to keep beads hot (let them "soak") and then slowly bring down the temperature over time. Doing this removes the stress that can form within the bead and will ultimately make the bead stronger and more durable. There are alternatives to annealing in this manner, but none of them are
as effective as soaking a bead in a kiln as soon as it was made.

1. Where can I purchase your beads and/or jewelry?
Currently the best way to get my beads and /or jewelry is mailing me

2. Why are your beads and jewelry more expensive that what I can find at my local costume jeweler?
Aline Désir beads and /or jewelry higher priced than costume jewelry because of the
quality of the pieces, which are created one by one. No two pieces are alike. Costume
jewelry is cheaper because it's mass-produced and typically made of plastic beads and/
or findings. Some costume jewelers do sell jewelry with glass beads, but the beads are
mass-produced in China and are not of the highest quality (not annealed for strength,
holes not cleaned, poor designs).
Also crystals in costume jewelry are usually of a very low quality and do not sparkle
as much as genuine Swarovski crystals.
Each lampworked glass bead I create is wound by hand and one bead can sometimes
take 30 minutes to make! Once the beads have been annealed in a kiln, I clean the holes
of each bead to remove the residual bead release. I then carefully inspect every bead to ensure there are no chips/cracks and that the designs are as perfect as I can get them.
Each piece of jewelry I create uses the highest quality materials available.
This includes silver beads, sterling silver or 14k gold-filled (not plated) findings and freshwater pearls, each Aline Désir bead and/or piece of jewelry is truly a work of art!

3. Do you offer "beads made to order" ?
Due to time constraints I am not able to do special orders any longer.
That also applies to modifications of offered jewelry.
Or, if you are interested in creating a line of jewelry, please contact me.

4. Whats your jewelry made with?
Only 925 sterling-silver (no nickel or other alloyings)

5. Question not answered? Please feel free to contact me! : )