The ancient art of lampworking was widely used in Italy in the 1300s. From there it spread to the rest of Europe and eventually further afield to the Americas and the rest of the world. Today there are lampwork bead artists found in most countries in the world.
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.
Unlike glass blowers who require a furnace, these artisans use torches. A torch may be attached to a bench for a more stationary flame whilst a hand held one offers heat that can be maneuvered. A wire called a mandrel is used and it is coated with a substance that prevents the glass from sticking to it. A pick made of tungsten allows holes to be bored in beads and a reamer made of graphite is used to enlarge them. A kiln is necessary for annealing the beads.
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.
Beads are embellished and decorated using many different materials and techniques. Sometimes glass fibers are melted onto the base. Metals like copper, silver and gold are added in the form of mesh, leaves or wires. Striking is a technique used to apply colors with a silver base. Fuming is heating metal until it forms particles on glass, changing the color.
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.
Beads created one by one in this manner may be expensive but the quality is far superior to any mass produced product. Mass produced items are often not cleaned properly with releasing agent left in a holes and releasing hazardous dust. They may not be properly finished, leaving rough edges on holes so that stringing material is easily cut through. Quality beads create quality jewelry that can be sold at a higher price.
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.
Unlike glass blowers who require a furnace, these artisans use torches. A torch may be attached to a bench for a more stationary flame whilst a hand held one offers heat that can be maneuvered. A wire called a mandrel is used and it is coated with a substance that prevents the glass from sticking to it. A pick made of tungsten allows holes to be bored in beads and a reamer made of graphite is used to enlarge them. A kiln is necessary for annealing the beads.
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.
Beads are embellished and decorated using many different materials and techniques. Sometimes glass fibers are melted onto the base. Metals like copper, silver and gold are added in the form of mesh, leaves or wires. Striking is a technique used to apply colors with a silver base. Fuming is heating metal until it forms particles on glass, changing the color.
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.
Beads created one by one in this manner may be expensive but the quality is far superior to any mass produced product. Mass produced items are often not cleaned properly with releasing agent left in a holes and releasing hazardous dust. They may not be properly finished, leaving rough edges on holes so that stringing material is easily cut through. Quality beads create quality jewelry that can be sold at a higher price.
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