Digital graphic featuring a circle of ancient Nordic runes surrounding a central Celtic knotwork pattern. The textured background creates a mystical, historical mood.

Studio photography of an abstract, dark, flowing sculptural object against a black background. The shape has a minimalist, modern aesthetic.

Trich-Knit by Cathie

What is Trichinopoly?

What is Lampwork?

Trichinopoly is a wire-weaving technique on a stick used by the Vikings in the eighth century to create bracelets, necklaces, festoons, and even ornaments for clothing.

I use this method to handcraft unique and comfortable jewelry that’s both strong and beautiful. It is worn today and is called

Trich-Wear.

Lampwork, or flamework, is a glass technique where an artist melts glass over an open flame and wraps it around a metal mandrel to create a bead. Using different colored glass, the artist creates a unique piece. The bead is then annealed in an oven. Annealing slowly cools the glass to relieve internal mechanical and thermal stresses, preventing spontaneous cracking. A proper lampwork bead is oven annealed.
The Vikings made glass beads over clay furnaces.
I used this same technique to make all my beads, only I used a modern torch to provide the fire.