Making Handmade Lampwork Beads
I’ve seen the amazing work of lampwork bead artists and am in awe of the type of lampwork bead sets that are created! To give you a better understanding of when a bead is worth paying high dollar, this is the first of 3 articles that will increase your knowledge about quality glass beadmaking and help you learn what glass lampworking is and in the next articles direct you to where to buy for your handmade jewelry designs by introducing you to the work of amazing glass artists and why self representing artists are the way to go. But why is this important?
There is an astounding amount of mass produced glass out there, knowing what to look for will help you locate artisan quality lampwork bead supplies for your handmade jewelry designs. This article will also provide you with a starting place to learn about lampwork beads, where to locate and choose the best lampwork glass art for your timeless pieces.
Here are the answers you will need to understand when to buy handmade lampwork glass beads and how to find lampwork bead artists!
What is glass lampworking? Basically it is using a gas-fueled torch to melt glass rods. Throughout history, there has been glass lampworking, a type of glassblowing, or ‘flameworking ‘ as it is now known, since most glass artists use gas fueled torches which mix oxygen or air as the oxidizer. This oxidation process increases the heat produced by the torch. In ancient times, the use of an oil lamp was used to heat the glass to a molten state, which was then shaped with tools and formed into beads and other art pieces.
A lampwork bead artist will often purchase similar types of glass, i.e. soft glass or hard glass, bead release, a torch and a kiln as the lampwork supplies to make handmade lampwork glass beads. The glass artisan will prep stainless steel rods, or mandrels, anywhere from 1/32 to 1/8 inch diameter or larger, by coating one end of the rod with a (clay based) bead releasing agent of some sort.
Next, the lampwork bead artist uses a torch to carefully introduce the glass to the heat until it is like honey and then wraps the material around the heated stainless steel mandrel to form the base of the bead. The bead can then be decorated using different materials and techniques. Once the bead is finished it typically goes right in to a pre-heated kiln, at approximately 860 degrees up to 1050 degrees, depending on the type of glass, for at least several hours to begin the process of annealing. Annealing the glass prevents it from cracking and/or shattering, due to thermal shock.
The annealing process releases the stress created from taking the glass from room temperature to over 1200 degrees, at which it is molten, and allows it ‘s internal temperature to become uniform where it is “heat-soaked “, allowing the release of internal stress for a period of time. The duration of this process depends on the thickness and type of glass used. Finally the piece is then cooled slowly back down to room temperature. Annealed glass lampwork beads are highly superior to glass beads which aren’t annealed and thus can crack when exposed to minor temperature changes.
After reaching room temperature, the beads are then thoroughly cleaned of all bead release and ready for your limited edition jewelry designs. This is one area of great concern for bead artists as some of the releasing agents can be toxic to one ‘s health. Buy annealed glass from a self representing artist, you won ‘t be disappointed!
About the Author
Jeannette is from Northern Arizona and has a special interest in lampwork beads and limited edition jewelry. She attended Arizona State and after relocating back to Flagstaff, took her first metalsmithing class at Northern Az University. She is a Self Representing Artist in Glass Arts.
MAKING BEADS PT 1 ch2 Basic Tools for Lampwork Bead Making
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Venezia New Red Heart Lampwork Glass Light or Ceiling Fan Pull $15.00 A rich trio of colors: amber, brilliant red and olive green combine for a most beautiful ceiling fan pull or light pull. Long-lasting heavy gauge brass wire. Extra ball chain attached is approx. 4″ long (included) and snaps in and out at top and base for easy connecting. Pull is 3″L. Amber/Red/Green…. |
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ACE (DIDYMIUM) GLASS WORKING SPECTACLES IN ECONOMY PLASTIC SAFETY FRAME WITH PERMANENT SIDE SHIELDS – 50MM EYE SIZE $45.00 Schott Glass Technologies has developed a new contrast enhancement glass for spectacle lenses. The new material, called ACE, short for “Amethyst Contrast Enhancer,” utilizes rare earth oxides in the glass composition to achieve the unique color enhancing characteristics. Basically, the color enhancement concept works by selectively positioning transmission in the blue, green, and red spectral regi… |
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Clear Vision Crystal Clear Lampwork Glass Light / Fan Pull Chain $14.00 Trace Ellements lampwork glass light/fan pulls durably designed for years of beautiful use. 4″L Extra ball chain attached (included) snaps in and out at top and base for easy connecting to your existing chain…. |
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The Penland Book of Glass: Master Classes in Flamework Techniques $12.73 Classes in flamework-glass techniques are presented by ten leading contemporary artists who have taught at the renowned Penland School of Crafts. This title offers revelatory essays paired with gorgeous gallerie of work. This title includes fantastic photographic step-by-steps that teach specific skills. These skilled masters offer revelatory essays that are paired with gorgeous galleries of work … |
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Contemporary Lampworking: A Practical Guide to Shaping Glass in the Flame (Volume 1 and 2) Third Edition $63.89 This 2-volume set is an outstanding teaching guide for lampworking glass. The sprial binding allows the books to lie flat while working. Included in the volumes are a glossary of terms and techniques and a reference for locating glass working tools. Hundreds of photos and step-by-step processes…. |
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Glass Bead Workshop: Building Skills, Exploring Techniques, Finding Inspiration $10.00 Glass beadmaking has exploded in popularity—and those artists who have successfully mastered the basics want more techniques to enhance their repertoire. Jeri Warhaftig, a respected and experienced teacher, offers intermediates her time-tested, workshop-based approach to expanding their beadmaking skills. In each superbly illustrated and illuminating chapter, she focuses on using current tools, … |
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Teal Blue-Green Lampwork Glass Cat Light / Fan Pull $14.00 He’s a really cute little guy to have hanging around! 4″L Extra ball chain attached (included) snaps in and out at top and base for easy connecting to your existing chain…. |
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Nortel MEGA Minor Bench Burner, Torch for Lampwork $249.00 Mega Minor Bench Burner Hotter, Wider Flame! Features |
