Faqs
Privacy Policy TOP
JdMacHope is committed to protecting your privacy. The information we collect: The domain name of visitors to our Web page the e-mail addresses of those who purchase our product the e-mail addresses of those who communicate with us via e-mail aggregate information on what pages our customers access or visit,
rest assured that we do ot sell, rent or distribute this information in anyway to other orginizaions. This information is retained and compiled to help us maintain a user friendly environment to shop.
JdMacHope welcomes visitors to share information, email us, sign our guest book, you need not disclose any personal information in order to gain access to any part of our site. Handmade Guarantee TOP
Your purchase is handcrafted here in the United States. Lampworking is a form of Art that cannot be duplicated. All our beads are annealed in a digitally controlled kiln for lasting durability and cleaned using a diamond Dremel bit.
We do stand by our creations, but please note Glass beads do break and are not intended for children under the age of six (6). Payment Options. TOP
Our shopping cart system is safe and secure. To place your order just click the button next to the product and follow the simple instructions. We accept PayPal, Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover & Money orders. Personal Check are not accepted at this time.
If you email us your credit card information, we will not be responsible for any liability. Shipping Charges TOP
Shipping cost to the US & US Proper USPS First Class Mail ~ $3.00
Shipping costs International ~ USPS Flat Rate $4.00
Shipping Jewelry & Custom USPS Priority Mail $5.00
Orders over $100 shipped free.
International Buyers will be responsible for duties or fees according to custom regulations, your items will ship USPS air mail letter post. We are not responible for postal errors in shipping, delivery confirmation will be sent to you upon shipment, insurance is up to you. When will my item be shipped? TOP
Your item will ship within 48 hours of payment received.
Custom Orders:
We will require a 50% deposit and the remaining amount due before shipment. If you will be purchasing in large volume, please email us so that we can discuss the details of your order and generate and invoice for you for the deposit. Donations TOP
We bring this site to you out of our passion and our respect for the work that needs to be done with each organization we are evolved with.
Upon delivery of your item a receipt of your donation will be included.
Our donation structure is based 20% - 30% of your item purchase.
What are Lampwork Beads TOP
Lampwork Beads are made by using a torch to heat a rod of glass and spinning the resulting melted glass around a stainless steel mandrel. When the base bead has been formed, other colors of glass can be added to the surface to create many designs. After all design is done on the bead, the bead is then placed in a preheated kiln and brought to room temp at a slow rate to ensure that the bead is properly annealed for stability. The type of glass used can be soft or hard glass. The terms soft and hard are indicative of how easily the glass melts at specific temperatures. There are many different types of glass that can be used
to make beads, each type of glass has its own unique qualities and beauty. What are the different types of silver TOP
- Bali Silver is sterling silver made on the island of Bali, in Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.
- The Balinese are highly skilled silversmiths, known for their granulation and wirework decoration. Genuine Bali Silver is made entirely by hand, starting with the weighing, melting and mixing of the 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper to form sterling silver.
- Experienced silversmiths can closely estimate the amount they need for the project they're designing/creating. The silver, in form of small beads, and bits of copper are heated with a simple torch, attached to a bottle of gasoline with rubber tubing. A foot-pumped bellows adds the needed air. Molten silver is poured into small wooden molds. Once cool, the silver is put through a rolling mill, cranked by hand, like an old ringer washer or a pasta maker. The worker tightens down the rollers after each pass to make the silver thinner and thinner until the desired thickness is reached. Beads, as well as bezels and other similar findings, are made from the sheets of silver. The silver sheeting is cut to size for making a bead of a particular size, then hammered into semi-circular indentations in a brass block. Excess silver is sanded away and two halves the bead are soldered with silver solder.
- Other designs, such as bezels are cut and then formed into the desired shaped for the piece Wire is made by pulling the silver through smaller and smaller holes in a tungsten carbine template until the wire is the desired size. The tiny dots of granulation are formed by snipping pieces from wire. When heated these little pieces of silver form into a ball. The wire and/or granulation are applied to the bead with a natural glue and then a solution of silver, copper and water is brushed over the bead. The entirely bead is carefully heated with the torch to complete the process. The silver is then cleaned with a fruit substance and dipped into an oxiding solution. When polished the raised areas with become bright on a dark background, highlighting the
- design. Unoxidized silver is also available. Each bead, earwire, clasp, headpin or bead cap is made one by one with patience and skill. One slip, or a little overheating can ruin hours of work. A child growing up in a silversmith family can learn to make the first simple designs in about 2 months. Someone else will need two years of training and experience.
- Thai Hill Tribe Silver is an entirely different style and method. It is a higher percentage of silver - 95-99%. It is formed and the designs in the silver made by hammering so requires the softer, purer silver. Like Bali silver, Thai Hill Tribe Silver can be recognized by destinctive patterns. Sterling Silver is made up with at least 92.5% silver - the other 7.5% contains other metals, usually copper.
- The Stamp you see with the wording or symbol "Sterling" or ".925". The Term Sterling Silver arouse out of England during the 13th century.
- Fine Sterling Silver or (99.99% pure) is generally too soft for producing large functional objects. This silver is used in general for wire working.
The Annealing Process TOP
Glass shrinks as it cools, so bringing a bead out of the flame and leaving it in the open air allows the outside of the bead to cool rapidly, while the inside is still burning hot, this creates a stress point between the cool, shrinking glass and the hot center of the bead, often causing the bead to crack. The best way to cool beads is in a digitally controlled kiln made specifically for glass beads. Temperatures can be closely regulated to make sure that all glass within the beads is the same temperature, the kiln then slowly steps-down the heat to bring the beads to room temperature. We insure that all our beads are created through this process. Our glass beads have been kiln annealed to ensure strength and durability. Swarovski Crystals TOP
Swarovski Crystal is made using a formula that Daniel Swarovski perfected in 1892. Swarovski Silver Crystal is fired using a combination of natural minerals and quartz sand, and then cooled slowly to avoid stress and inclusions. By the 20th century, Daniel Swarovski was using treatments to perfect the colorful effects of his crystals, and by the 1990's there were many exhibitions featuring many different kinds of Swarovski crystals. In 1995, the company he founded celebrated its 100 yr anniversary. Limited amounts of silver in Austrian Swarovski crystal is considered by many to be the finest in the world. No comparison can be found as you see in the brilliance of the crystal, but many believe that it is a naturally element. In fact, it is a man made machine component using natural elements
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