Bead Techniques
Various techniques are used in the design of the beads featured on the earrings. Many earrings will have multiple techniques in one bead. Below are examples of the bead techniques represented.
Wedding Cake
Known as Fiorato, they are decorated with glass overlays featuring roses, swirls and dots
Millefiori
A glasswork technique which produces distinctive decorative patterns on glass, meaning a thousand ("mille") flowers ("fiori"). Several concentric glass layers of different colors and shapes (usually flowers or stars) are processed together and are only visible when cut.
Aventurina
invented on Murano. Translucent brownish metallic (copper) specks formed from tiny crystals of copper wrapped in a glass mass.
Dichroic
Displaying multiple colors, general two, but up to 4. Process was developed in the US working with Murano glass makers by coating Murano glass with the dichroic layer prior to being made into beads by the Murano glass makers
Ca’d’Oro
Venetian style having a cracked appearance using gold or silver.
Zanfirico
Invented on Murano. Consists of fine filigree glass canes which have been stretched and twisted to form beautiful lattice patterns
Blown
Glass-forming technique that involves inflating molten glass into a bubble with the aid of a blowpipe (or blow tube). Blown glass beads will always have irregular holes on the two ends. The blowing of these beads is an art form, the blowing must be done quickly making it impossible to rework the holes.
Klimt
Named after the famous painter because of his use of bright colors. Features brightly colored Murano Glass and mosaic chips.
Filigrana
Filigree style - developed in Murano. This style produces glass beads with stripes of color and spirals using glass canes. They may be striped, twisted/spiral, or 2 lines twisted in opposite directions
