Individually sculpted by Pelindaba's Andrea Kiernan, these flowering lavender glass beads are part of Andrea's 'In Bloom' line, inspired by the specific varieties of lavender growing at Pelindaba Lavender Farm. These pieces depict the plant's flower head at the peak of its yearly cycle, just before harvest time, when the tiny flowers emerge from the buds.

Each intricate bead is handcrafted one at a time using colored glass rods and a torch fueled by oxygen and propane. After the bead is sculpted, it is properly annealed or set to cool slowly overnight in a digitally controlled kiln to ensure strength and durability. Finally, the beads are transformed into wearable pieces of art glass when they are strung with sterling silver wire, findings and Swarovski crystals.

The colors are inspired by actual lavender varieties. The main lavender bead portion of the Blooming Earrings measures approximately 1" length x 1/2" diameter and dangle from a set of antiqued floral sterling silver post earring findings. Sold as a pair. Each piece arrives packaged in a protective gift box filled with Pelindaba's fragrant organic lavender buds. You are purchasing a unique, copyrighted work of art - no two lavender glass beads are exactly alike!

Andrea's lavender beads have been featured in several publications, most notably in Bead & Button, The Glass Bead, Bead Unique, Bead Style, Stringing magazine and LAMMAGA, a Japanese lampworking publication. Books have also included her work, such as Bedazzled: Where Beads and Inspiration Meet and Bead Review 3, a volume "encapsulating a year's worth of compelling interpretations from the contemporary art glass bead movement". As a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, Andrea's work has been included in the Convergence exhibit as well as Perspectives, a traveling show of contemporary art glass beads which began in Corning, NY, then moved around the United States and is currently on display at The Kobe Museum in Japan.