Blackstone River Design presents unique artisan-crafted jewelry using original lampwork beads made by glass artist Linda Morgan-O'Connor... that's me!

Lampworking is an ancient glass art with roots in ancient Egypt. The art form grew and flourished in Italy in the Renaissance, and expanded to the rest of the world in the 20th century. Today’s lampworkers can be found in every corner of the globe!

I make each bead individually, using Effetre, Lauscha and Vetrofond glass rods and a small oxygen-propane torch. Each bead takes from 10 minutes (for a small bead) to 45 minutes (for a large, complex bead) to create. The bead is then carefully annealed in an electronically controlled glass kiln, ensuring strength and durability.The jewelry that I design from these beads uses the finest accompanying components: sterling silver, gold, gold vermeil and gold-filled metal findings. I also use Swarovski crystal and semi-precious gemstones to complete these pieces.

I am an independent, self-representing glass artist working from my studio in Millbury, Massachusetts, and a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) and SRA-Glass, the Self-Representing-Artist group in glass art.

Please enjoy browsing through my designs. Some pieces are for sale directly through this site, and some are available at fine craft shops. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to carry my designs in your store.

If you are looking for original lampwork beads and bead sets to use in your own jewelry designs, please visit my lampwork bead website:
Blackstone Bead.