My name is Tina Smith, and as a Lampwork glass beadmaker I get to play with fire all day long! I have been making beads for over 14 years, initially as a hobby, but then realising my dream and going full-time just over 8 years ago.

Every bead starts as a rod of glass, which is then melted in a flame and transformed by manipulating colours and shapes, with sometimes unexpected results. Once finished, the bead is then put in a kiln overnight for controlled cooling, which ensures there are no molecular weaknesses which could cause it to crack later. 

Next, I clean and inspect each bead, to make sure that they are of high enough quality. I then either put them up for sale to jewellery makers all over the world, or I turn them into wearable jewellery which I then sell. I supply jewellery to a number of retail outlets in south and west Wales.

My designs are often influenced by the beautiful coastline and countryside of west Wales, where I am lucky enough to live. I am a member of the Contemporary Glass Society and Glass Beadmakers UK.

In 2022, three of my beads were selected for the Inaugural Bead Biennale at the International Festival of Glass.

 

Tina Smith

Pembroke, Pembrokeshire


My online jewellery shop

Here you will find some of my ready to wear jewellery pieces. Often unique, always made with love.

Lampwork glass beads

Handmade in the flame by me, these beads have been created using the finest glass available. Each one has gone straight from flame to kiln for overnight annealing, meaning that you can be assured that they are robust enough to create durable jewellery pieces.