Lampwork Silver Jewellery is owned and run solely by me, John Waterston. The original designs and craftsmanship are all done by me in my workshop located in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. I started glassworking in 1989 making stained glass windows and engravings but now work exclusively with lampwork glass, silver and semi-precious stones. All my work can be found here on this site. I hope you will find something you like.

One of the most attractive features of my work is its originality. Every item of jewellery will be individually designed, hand made and unique. Because of the nature of the making process, the lampwork beads cannot be exactly reproduced so yours will be one of a kind. When I set out to make a copy, either because I like the style or customers request it, the piece will be similar but not the same. When you buy a piece from Lampwork Silver Jewellery you will be buying, and wearing, a unique piece of jewellery.

Lampwork beads are made from a base of glass rods which are formed in intense heat onto a mandrel in the flame of an oxygen and propane torch. In order to produce the striking variety, depth of colour and texture the glass is combined in various ways with enamels, mica powders and precious metal leaf and wire. The results you can see for yourself on the gallery pages of this site. You will find beads made by me and selected bead makers whose work I particularly admire.

After making in the flame, every bead is then annealed in a kiln which equalises the chaotic stresses put into the glass in the heating and bead building process. The finalised bead will be free of internal stresses which can otherwise lead to cracking and failure over time. The beads you buy from me will be very tough and resilient, although not unbreakable. They will not, however, fall apart as a result of residual internal strain in the way that a non-annealed bead might.

Necklaces and bracelets on this site are made using only sterling silver chain and findings and all the connections and joints are carefully silver soldered by hand. With careful handling they will survive many lifetimes and become a family treasure. Only the fiercest of accidental damage will cause them to break - in the rare event of this happening I will be able to repair and restore the piece to its original condition.

You will see that some of the necklaces are constructed partly using 2.5 mm round snake chain. This ensures a very elegant, comfortable and secure fit around the back of the neck. The sterling silver clasp is attractive, easy to use and very secure. The lampworked beads, silver spacers and semi-precious stones, where used, are threaded on 49 strand, nylon coated, stainless steel wire.

I have made the necklaces to a standard length which will suit most people. I can alter the length of any necklace, to your particular specifications, for an additional fee of £10. If you think this might be necessary, please email, or telephone me before buying so we can discuss the best way to do this for the necklace you have chosen.

I would recommend occasional cleaning of the necklace firstly with soap and water and then finishing with silver polish. All the pieces can safely be cleaned with ultrasonics if desired.

Earrings are likewise only made up with sterling silver findings and hookwires. Unlike the necklaces you will find the earrings are reproduced, and made in batches, as they are that much simpler in design and construction. This means that the earrings you receive may not be the exact same ones as shown on the web site - if this concerns you please let me know and I will send you a photograph of the actual earrings I intend to send you, for approval, before posting.

In all cases, the beads from which the earrings are made will be of the same quality as those in the necklaces, hand formed and fully annealed.

Commissions will be undertaken in discussion with myself. You can see from the gallery page that the possibilities in lampworking are endless. Shapes, colours, textures and combinations of glass, silver and mineral stone make for a fascinating design prospect. As the nature of the lampworking process makes it impossible to predict exactly how a finished bead will look what I can promise is to do my best by your design ideas and present the finished piece to you for approval. In most circumstances you will be under no obligation to buy any piece made for you before you have seen the finished piece.

You can contact me here:

John Waterston

email to: john@lampwork-silver-jewellery.co.uk

Telephone: 01284 810726 Mobile: 07910 936068