Debbie Croft: Historic Mariposa building offers homemade glass jewelry and more

23.05.13

Attending a bead-making class introduced challenges she still enjoys today.

Her tiny glass creations come in a variety of shapes. Ladybugs and bumble bees are only 10-20 millimeters in size. Miniature woodland flowers and purple irises decorate pins or become pendants to dangle on earrings or neck chains.

Little cone shapes with layers of white, yellow and orange become "candy corn" earrings. Decorative buttons feature colored swirls, wavy ruffles, appliqued flowers and abstract designs in bold shades or earth tones. They're found in knitting shops across the country.

Not only does she do all her own flame work, she strings, wraps and crimps metal wire using sterling and fine silver. Sometimes she stamps the metal with words. Purchased charms or gemstones designed by a friend add visual interest.

She uses a propane-and-oxygen torch to get the right kind of flame.

"While constantly keeping the glass warm enough so it won't crack, but not so hot it turns into a blob and falls off," she explains. The glass is shaped on a mandrel, which is a thin piece of wire coated with clay.

Source: Merced Sun-Star