I love hollows! Hollow beads are wound by starting a small wrap on one end of the mandrel and then a small wrap on the other end of the mandrel and building it up to the middle of the bead, then closing it off and melting the whole bead. As you heat and melt the bead the hot air is trapped inside the hollow. Hollows are very particular. You must not have any space in the glass or your hollow will deflate. Hollow lampwork beads are my specialty. I make them in every color with all kinds of metals including palladium, silver foil, silver leaf, copper leaf, and 22 kt gold. You will also most likely find reduction frits, pixie dust, enamels, powders among organic and traditional styles. Some may even be etched. You name it I probably have made it in a hollow bead. Look for my scrolled hollows with metallics and goldstone...they are definitely winners! Hollow beads give you a larger bead but a light weight feel. If you haven't used hollow handmade glass beads in your jewelry designs why not try them now?!
