About Millefiori Murano

Millefiori Murano is a culmination of my passions for glass, jewellery, and all things Italian. Ten years ago I came across millefiori when I started doing mosaics as a hobby. I couldn't resist the colourful intricacy of the slices of glass cane, and developed the resin technique I now use to make my jewellery with them. In 2017 I was lucky enough to spend a few weeks on Murano and meet many of its glass artisans and see them at work. At Effetre, the only millefiori factory on Murano, I get my raw material, and the artisans I source products for my store from are based here or in the wider Veneto area.

Murano is a small island in the Venetian lagoon, 15 minutes by vaporetto from the main island.  Glass has been made here since 1291 and many of the current artisans come from families with generations of glass making in their blood. Most of the 200 or so factories are small family businesses that have been running for decades. Murano and its glass making traditions have come under threat in more recent times from cheap imitation 'Murano' glass produced outside Italy, and now after COVID-19 and its effects on tourism, coupled with a 400% increase in gas prices, many furnaces are no longer burning. I love Murano and its glass and the people who work with it, and hope to continue to support them in today's difficult times.