I first began making lampwork beads in early 1997. Over the past years I have learned many techniques in glass working, my favorite being in the field of murrine or cane work. I like to use murrine to add impossibly small details to my sculptural and encased lampwork bead styles.

The pendant to the left contains several murrini: an RIP tombstone, a jack o'lantern, and the face of the witch as well as the tiny red flowers. It consists of many carefully constructed layers and is less than 1 1/2 inches across.

My tools of the trade are an oxygen/propane torch, my current favorite being the Knight Bullet Burner, various small hand tools, and glass, of course. I anneal all my work in a digitally controlled kiln to assure a lasting work of art.

Halloween is my favorite holiday season, so you will see many witch beads year round. Other favorite themes for my lampworked beads are fairies, mermaids, and goddesses.

I make my own canes, known as murrine and sometimes as millefiore. The techniques are similar to the way polymer clay artists build canes, except I work with molten glass. My canes are directly assembled in the flame and can involve days of making and assembling various parts to complete a final product suitable for use in my lampwork beads and buttons.

Assorted murrini slices, nipped from lengths of cane and ready for use in my buttons and beads.