Lampworking is an art that became popular in Italy in the 14th century. It eventually spread throughout Europe and to the rest of the world. Lampwork bead artists from many countries make their living today by practicing this art. Their beads are available from many online stores where one can compare items, prices, shipping costs, payment and return policies.
The beads produced by these lampworkers are often quite unique. Each item is crafted individually using different color combinations, techniques and styles. They take great pride in their work and are usually prepared to give guarantees of quality to buyers. Some have developed a particular, well recognizable style from many years of experimenting with making beads.
Many types of glass are used but borosilicate and soda-lime are most common. Borosilicate is harder, more expensive and needs a higher temperature. However, it does not crack as easily. Oxygen is used instead of air and torches need to be larger. Soda-lime is much softer and offers more variety of colors.
The tools used by these artisans are similar to those used by glass blowers. The glass comes in the form of glass rods. A torch with a stationary flame may be attached to a bench while a hand torch offers more flexibility of movement. Molten glass is wound onto a stainless wire called a mandrel. A tungsten pick may be used to bore holes in beads while a reamer made of graphite on a handle helps to enlarge them. A kiln is required to anneal the glass.
A glass rod has to be slowly introduced to a flame so that it does not crack due to thermal shock. The mandrel is coated with a releaser like boron nitride so that the final product is easily removed. Both the glass rod and the mandrel are heated and the mandrel is rotated so as to wind the molten glass onto it.
A combination of heat, tools and gravity are used for shaping of the beads. They can then be decorated using various different techniques and materials. Fibers of glass may be melted onto the surface. Copper, silver or gold may be applied in the form of metal leaf, wire or mesh. When colors with a silver base are used, a technique called striking has to be used.
Beads are also embellished once they have cooled down. They may be sandblasted, polished or etched with acid giving a matte finish. They can even be faceted by using a grinder. The process of annealing glass in a kiln is necessary as if it is cooled too slowly it undergoes stress. This means it breaks immediately or it can do so in the future. Many mass produced items are not put through this step at all or it is not done properly.
The beads produced by these artisan lampworkers are quality items that have been cleaned, annealed and finished off properly, unlike many mass produced products. These products often still have remnants of releasing agents producing a hazardous dust and the holes are roughly finished. The beads made by an artist are more costly but they are well worth the extra price and the jewelry made from these beads is worth more.
The beads produced by these lampworkers are often quite unique. Each item is crafted individually using different color combinations, techniques and styles. They take great pride in their work and are usually prepared to give guarantees of quality to buyers. Some have developed a particular, well recognizable style from many years of experimenting with making beads.
Many types of glass are used but borosilicate and soda-lime are most common. Borosilicate is harder, more expensive and needs a higher temperature. However, it does not crack as easily. Oxygen is used instead of air and torches need to be larger. Soda-lime is much softer and offers more variety of colors.
The tools used by these artisans are similar to those used by glass blowers. The glass comes in the form of glass rods. A torch with a stationary flame may be attached to a bench while a hand torch offers more flexibility of movement. Molten glass is wound onto a stainless wire called a mandrel. A tungsten pick may be used to bore holes in beads while a reamer made of graphite on a handle helps to enlarge them. A kiln is required to anneal the glass.
A glass rod has to be slowly introduced to a flame so that it does not crack due to thermal shock. The mandrel is coated with a releaser like boron nitride so that the final product is easily removed. Both the glass rod and the mandrel are heated and the mandrel is rotated so as to wind the molten glass onto it.
A combination of heat, tools and gravity are used for shaping of the beads. They can then be decorated using various different techniques and materials. Fibers of glass may be melted onto the surface. Copper, silver or gold may be applied in the form of metal leaf, wire or mesh. When colors with a silver base are used, a technique called striking has to be used.
Beads are also embellished once they have cooled down. They may be sandblasted, polished or etched with acid giving a matte finish. They can even be faceted by using a grinder. The process of annealing glass in a kiln is necessary as if it is cooled too slowly it undergoes stress. This means it breaks immediately or it can do so in the future. Many mass produced items are not put through this step at all or it is not done properly.
The beads produced by these artisan lampworkers are quality items that have been cleaned, annealed and finished off properly, unlike many mass produced products. These products often still have remnants of releasing agents producing a hazardous dust and the holes are roughly finished. The beads made by an artist are more costly but they are well worth the extra price and the jewelry made from these beads is worth more.
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