My process...
Here's a quick look at how each piece comes to life.
Step 1: Pulling Stock Cane
Every new murrini pattern begins with stock cane—long, thin rods of colored glass. I heat pre-cut pieces of colored glass in a kiln until they're soft enough to work with.
Step 2: Layering the Glass
Using a steel punty rod, I gather one color of glass while my assistant layers another over it. We then encase the colors in clear glass.
Step 3: Pulling the Cane
Working together, we stretch the molten glass into a long, thin cane. Once it's cooled, it's ready for the next stage.
Step 4: Building the Pattern
I cut the cane into short pieces and arrange them into a new design, bind the bundle together, and heat it again.
Step 5: Refining the Design
The process of bundling and pulling can be repeated several times. Each pull creates more detail, but knowing when to stop is part of the art.
Step 6: Cutting the Murrini
Once the pattern is finished, I slice the cane into thin cross-sections, revealing the design hidden inside. Each slice is then sanded and polished.
Step 7: Finished Jewelry
Finally, I create the silver setting and mount each glass slice, transforming it into a finished piece that's ready to wear.
