It all started with… a trip.

Have you ever tried something new and instantly fallen in love with it?That’s exactly what happened to me.

My fascination with glass is actually quite recent. Last summer, during a family trip to Kazimierz Dolny, we wandered into the Museum of Goldsmithing. And just as we were leaving, a ring with an extraordinary stone caught my eye. The label said it was made of dichroic glass…

I went home curious. Very curious.I started reading, searching, scrolling through photos — and finally looking for a place to buy this mysterious material. I eventually found something described as “dichroic glass – scraps”, and before I knew it, I was the proud owner of a small pile of transparent pieces in all shapes and sizes :)

Some shimmered with shifting colours, others had delicate patterns… but none of them looked anything like the jewellery element that had captivated me back in Kazimierz.

So I began to experiment.I mixed the glass with resin, sanded it in every way imaginable, and kept digging for more information. That’s when I stumbled upon the idea of microwave fusing — but that, as Kipling would say, is a completely different story.

Let’s talk about glass.

Not everything that glitters is glass.And not every piece of glass is meant to become jewelry.

I choose my materials deliberately — not only for their colour or texture, but for the way they behave in fire, in light, and in the hand. Some are reliable, others full of surprises. All of them demand more than just a workshop: they require patience, experience, and a bit of courage.

Here you can learn what I work with.Without jargon. Without technical charts.Just genuine respect for the material itself.

Spectrum Glass

A practical, beautifully predictable glass often chosen by experienced artists. Its colours are stable and clean, giving intense shades without unexpected reactions in the kiln. In the right hands, Spectrum becomes a perfect base — simple, precise, and trustworthy.

Wissmach Glass

Glass with a painterly soul: subtle streaks, shifting tones, natural depth. Every sheet is slightly different, which makes each finished piece inherently unique. Wissmach rewards sensitivity — it shines brightest when you let its organic character speak for itself.

Dichroic Glass

Technologically advanced and visually striking. A thin metallic coating makes the surface shift colours depending on the angle of light. Used in the right amounts, it becomes a bold, modern accent — expressive but not overwhelming. It demands precision and artistic confidence, and when handled well, it instantly draws the eye.

Transparent Glass – Spectrum 100RW (COE 96)

Clear glass, about 3.5 mm thick, with a subtle rain-like texture. This fine pattern gently breaks the light, giving the surface softness and a delicate shimmer.

Often used as the top layer in fusing: it protects the elements beneath it while highlighting their colours. Thanks to its stability in high temperatures and excellent clarity, it’s one of the essential materials in COE 96 work.

Textured Transparent Glass – Spectrum 100C (COE 96)

Clear glass with one smooth side and one distinctly textured. This gives creative freedom — the final effect depends on which side faces up.

The texture adds depth and a gentle soft-focus look. Perfect as a surface layer when transparency is needed, but with a unique finish. Stable in firing and fully compatible with other COE 96 glasses.

Glass Confetti

Small, irregular, paper-thin pieces of coloured glass. Used as a decorative top layer in fusing, they introduce lightness and spontaneity.

When melted, confetti becomes part of the surface itself — creating soft accents or bursts of colour. It requires a bit of restraint and thoughtful placement, but used sensitively, it can bring a subtle, lively rhythm to the piece.

Glass Tubes (Stringers & Noodles)

Long, thin rods of glass — sometimes perfectly straight, sometimes with natural variations. They can be cut, layered, bent or fused into patterns that add structure and direction to a design.

Stringers create elegant lines.Noodles add broader strokes and gentle curves.Both melt beautifully into the surface, becoming clean, graphic elements within the composition. They’re ideal when a project needs detail, contrast or a touch of controlled geometry.

Millefiori

Tiny pre-made glass elements resembling flowers or rosettes. Created by layering colours inside long rods, then slicing them into thin pieces. The pattern remains clear even after firing.

Millefiori works wonderfully as a focal point or a delicate embellishment. Its symmetry contrasts with more organic forms, bringing a sense of rhythm, precision and quiet charm.

A few final thoughts

Glass may seem raw and uniform, but in truth it offers an extraordinary range of forms, textures and possibilities. Each type plays a different role — background, accent, structure, light — and the way they are combined defines the final character of the piece.

Before any fragment becomes part of a piece of jewelry, it goes through its own journey: through fire, through ideas, and through my hands.

I don’t use every kind of glass frequently.But each one I choose has a purpose — something I can draw out of it.Never the other way around.