The Magic of Handmade Glass Jewellery: Colour and Light
- Agata Henderson
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Glass jewellery has a character quite unlike any other material. It captures light, reflects colour and can appear completely different depending on the time of day, what you are wearing or even the angle from which it is viewed. A pendant may look beautifully subtle indoors, then suddenly reveal vivid flashes of colour when it catches the sunlight.
This wonderful interaction between glass and light is at the heart of my handmade jewellery collection.
Jewellery That Changes With the Light
Some of my pieces are made using dichroic glass. It is a specialist glass containing extremely thin layers of metallic oxides. These layers reflect and transmit different wavelengths of light, creating colours that appear to shift as the jewellery moves.
A single piece can glow pink, gold, blue, green or purple depending on the lighting and viewing angle. This makes dichroic glass particularly striking in earrings and pendants, where movement continually reveals new colours.
It is difficult to capture this effect fully in photographs because dichroic glass is never completely still. Its real beauty becomes apparent when it is worn and allowed to interact with natural light.
Giving Reclaimed Glass a New Life
Where possible, I also incorporate reclaimed glass and carefully selected remnants from other projects into my jewellery.
Small pieces of glass left over from a larger artwork may be too beautiful to discard. Instead, they can be cut, layered and transformed in the kiln into something entirely new. A fragment that might otherwise have been forgotten becomes the focal point of a pendant, ring or pair of earrings.
Working with reclaimed and leftover glass also encourages a more spontaneous creative process. Rather than beginning with a perfectly repeatable design, I respond to the colours, shapes and textures already present in the material.
Handmade in My West London Studio
Each piece begins as carefully selected sheets, fragments or strips of glass. These are cut and arranged by hand before being fired in my kiln at high temperatures.
During firing, the separate layers soften and fuse together. Colours move, edges become rounded and tiny bubbles or subtle variations may appear within the glass. These details are not imperfections, but part of the character of kiln-formed glass and evidence of the way it was made.
Some pieces require more than one firing, followed by cold-working, grinding, polishing and careful finishing. This means even a small pair of earrings can take several days to complete.
No Two Pieces Are Exactly the Same
Glass has its own personality. Even when I return to a familiar colour combination or design, the heat of the kiln may cause the glass to flow in a slightly different direction. Patterns shift, bubbles form in unexpected places and colours overlap in new ways.
This unpredictability is one of the reasons I love working with glass.
Every finished piece has its own individual pattern, texture and arrangement of colour. You are not buying something reproduced identically in thousands of copies, you are choosing a small, wearable piece of original glass art.
Even pairs of earrings are sisters rather than identical twins. They are designed to complement one another, while retaining the tiny variations that make handmade work so distinctive.
Finished With Quality Silver Fittings
My glass jewellery is finished with quality silver or sterling silver fittings wherever this is stated in the individual product description. Silver complements the clarity and colour of glass without competing with it, creating jewellery that feels contemporary, elegant and easy to wear.
Many people who react to inexpensive costume jewellery are sensitive to nickel. Sterling silver is often a preferable choice for those with sensitive skin; however, metal sensitivities vary considerably. If you have a known nickel allergy or another specific sensitivity, please contact me before purchasing so that I can confirm the materials used in the particular piece you are considering.
Small Pieces of Wearable Art
Handmade glass jewellery is for people who enjoy colour, individuality and objects with a story behind them. It can bring an unexpected flash of colour to a simple outfit, become an everyday favourite or make a meaningful gift for someone who appreciates original craftsmanship.
Most importantly, each piece is designed to be enjoyed daily, not hidden away for a special occasion. Wear it, allow it to catch the light and notice how its colours continue to change throughout the day.
Explore my collection of handmade glass and silver jewellery and discover a piece that feels entirely your own.
