All the beads are made using an oxygen-propane torch and various colored glass rods. They're not painted. The artisan, Jodie Mcdougall, uses ancient cane-building techniques to create images in glass called murrine. Each image can take days to months to create.
The shanks are embedded into the glass while it's molten to ensure they become a permanent attachment to the piece. No glue is involved, creating an heirloom-quality bead. Each bead is handmade and unique, so while you will receive a marker similar to the picture, it may be slightly different.
