Debby Weaver, the Winner of the Spring 2001 Bead O'the Quarter

The bead pictured is a hollow bead, about 2" across and about 1" deep. It was made out of Moretti glass (a very pale amber and the new uranium yellow), Thompson enamels, reduction frit, and fine silver wire. (The wire that I used was 28 gauge, but you can use 30 gauge or 26 gauge. However, it must be fine silver, not sterling.) 

No matter how often your use the enamels and frits, they always turn out looking different - that is the real beauty and fun of using them!

I have always been fascinated with hollow beads since I first saw the ones made by Eloise Cotton and Sarah Thompson. I just figured I couldn't do it. I have taken several classes with Kate Fowle and she showed us how to make them on a mandrel - but I was sure couldn't do it. Mine were always solid on one side! Very strange looking! Then last spring, Marianne Filiaggi showed me how she makes them. I tried it and it finally clicked! I still sometimes make some very heavy hollow beads - the goods ones are very light for their size! - but I am getting better. Good enough to try some surface decoration. You just have to remember to cool your bead enough so it is firm and will not go out of shape as you decorate it!

If you have tried making hollow beads and have not been successful - don't give up! My skills, patience, something - needed to get to the right point before it clicked for me. Some people do it right off. This technique, like many others, will take practice, but it is worth learning!