Topic: Glass sphere with loop and rainbow swirl - what is it?

[wolkenreb]

Hi.  This is an interesting wee item which I couldn't resist, but I have no idea what it is.  The sphere comes to a very slight point at the bottom and is flattened at the top, so it does not 'sit'.   There are orange and yellows stripes running through the hoop.  Any ideas anyone?

[scimiman]

Looks like a ring you would wear on your finger.
Mike www.abfabglass.co.uk

[wolkenreb]

Good suggestion but the hole made by the loop is U-shaped rather than round.  I did try it though - and could only just fit it onto my pinkie.  I'd say it's definitely not a ring.  Thanks though!

[ahremck]

I thought it might be a scarf loop where the scarf ends are passed throught the loop and tied so the loop can't fall off and it becomes a feature like a necklace.

Ross

[ju1i3]

Would it spin like a top? A mini dreidel? Never mind, just realised it doesn't have sides.

[wolkenreb]

Ross - I guess it could be used for a scarf, but I think I don't know if that's its purpose.

Julie - I had to look dreidel up - a word I'd never heard before but what an interesting thing - I've never come across one.  This obviously isn't one!

Thanks guys!

Does anyone think it's just a little knick-knack that a glassmaker made during an idle moment or two?

[Frank]

It is a lampwork ring, made by a bead-maker who probably has smaller fingers then you. Go to one of the craft fairs and you might even find the maker.

[wolkenreb]

I'll take your word for it Frank although it's pretty ugly as a ring (far too cumbersome) - wish it was something else!  Thanks anyway!

[wolkenreb]

I've trawled through THOUSANDS of glass/lampwork rings for sale on Ebay and none of them are made in two parts like this one.  There are certainly plenty of big chunky ones, but they are all one piece ie a single band of glass.  So I'm having my doubts about it being a ring, although always ready to be corrected . . .

[Frank]

Try etsy.com for craft makers and glass artists... much better than eBay for this field.