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How are lampwork beads made? |
A lampworker melts rods of colored glass in a torch flame. The molten glass can then be wound around a metal rod (mandrel). The mandrel is what actually creates the hole of the bead.
The mandrel needs to be dipped in bead release (a clay based substance)which protects the mandrel from the hot glass. Otherwise, the glass would permanently adhere to the mandrel (which would make lovely decorative sticks for your potted plants)! :0)
     
These pictures show the progression from , round bead, to adding dots, melting in, to a still hot glowing bead, to slightly cooled bead that is ready to go in the kiln. |
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Shaping the bead |
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As you work the glass in the flame, you must turn the mandrel, and work with gravity to help you shape the bead. There are many tools to shape the bead, from just gravity to actual molds to press the molten glass in to make a "shape". Graphite paddles, mashers, tweezers to name a few are some tools to use in shaping.... |
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Decoration of the Beads |
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Once the bead is shaped, decorative elements can be added. Different techniques can be done, to create a wonderful unique bead!
Colors can be mixed, layers can be added. Dots can be melted in flat or left raised for a sculptural feel. Silver or gold leaf or foil, silver wire can be added on the surface of the bead. There are no limits really, your imagination and you willingness to learn and just to experiment , is all you need. Lots of practice and being patient with yourself and the process, with time you can create what you dream of. |
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Annealing |
If you were to remove your glass bead out of the flame, and left out at room temperature it would cause it to break. The reason for this is the outside of the bead cools rapidly, but the inside is still burning hot. The stress point between the cooling, shrinking glass and the very hot center begins to grow, which causes the breakage.
 
(my kiln nice and hot waiting for new beads.)
This is why annealing your bead is so important. The beads are placed in a preheated hot kiln (950 F-980 F),through a hinged door in front of the kiln. The beads soaks for a period of time to insure the bead is kept at a constant temperature through out the bead.
Doing this removes any stressors in the bead. The temperature in the kiln is decreased over several hours, to bring the bead to room temperature very slowly. This process insures that the bead will be strong and durable and be around for a very long time.
Once the beads are at room temperature, and can be handled the beads are removed from the mandrels. The bead release is then removed from the center of the bead.
I hope this general information was helpful, to give you an idea of what lampwork is. If you are interested in more in depth information, please check out my suggested reading list below.
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Suggested Reading, some of my favorite books. |
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Listed here are a list of books that have helped me in my journey. There are many excellent books out there, these just happen to be the ones I have used. When beginning in lampworking it is always a good idea to become familiar with safety issues involved with lampworking. As well as learning new and fun techniques.
"Making Glass Beads" by Cindy Jenkins
"Beads of Glass" by Cindy Jenkins
"Passing the Fame" by Corina Tettinger
"The Complete Book
of Glass Beadmaking" by Kimberley Adams | |
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