Arts & Literature
How to make glass beads
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Learn to make lampwork glass beads
If you are a creative person and are looking for the "perfect" medium - one that you love and leaves people in wonder about what you do - then you should read on and learn about making glass beads.
The upside of making lampwork beads is that relatively speaking, not a lot of people are doing it (although it has been picking up new beadmakers in the past few years). The downside is the investment that is required into the proper supplies and equipment.
Some merchants would have you think it is easy to make glass beads so long as you buy their starter kit. What they don't tell you is that lampworking is a skill that is only learned with a lot of time and practice. What is worse is that these certain merchants make money by teaching people how to make substandard beads that are prone to breaking.
This lens was made to give you a leg up in your quest to learn the fine craft of making lampwork glass beads. Because the better the quality of the beads you make, the more respected you will become as a beadmaker.
Don't miss some awesome books from Amazon and some pretty cool lampwork designs on CafePress products that I recommend, at the bottom of the page. And don't forget to sign my guestbook so I know you stopped by!
Make your own Squidoo Lens! Click here to start!New Table of Contents
- Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads in a Muffin Tin!
- What the Heck is Lampworking?
- Recommended Bead Links
- How to Make Glass Beads on YouTube
- Lampworking books on Amazon
- Did You Paint That??
- New Lampwork Calendar by Corina Tettinger
- Glossary
- Books about beads
- Before You Begin Making Glass Beads
- Recommended Beginner Book
- 11 Essentials for Beginner Lampworkers
- Recommended Intermediate Lampworking Book
- James Kervin Books
- Magazines About or Featuring Lampwork
- A Note to Jewelry Designers about Lampwork
- Why You Get What You Pay For
- More Beady Stuff on CafePress
- Lampwork Links
- Rank-A-Link!
- Handcrafted Artisan Glass Beads on Ebay
- Handcrafted Artisan Beads on Ebay
- More James Kervin books on Amazon
- Other Squidoo Lenses related to Lampworking
- Reader Feedback
Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads in a Muffin Tin!
What the Heck is Lampworking?
An introduction to lampwork bead making
The term "lampwork" is used to describe handcrafted glass beads that are made by melting glass rods with a torch. And no, the beads are not used on lamps (unless you want to use them on lamps). The word "lamp" is a nod to ancient times when the glass was melted with the flame of an oil lamp. Nowadays, the craft is also called "flameworking". Some people call it "glassblowing" which for the most part is a misnomer when referring to beads.Lampwork beads vary in style from artist to artist. They can be elegant, flowery, whimsical, tribal, rustic, contemporary - the number of styles is only limited by the imagination of the artists.
Lampwork beads are typically used in jewelry, but can be used in objects as well, such as drawer knobs, candlesticks, pens, serving utensils, and more.
Stay tuned for the next module, which will be an overview of how lampwork beads are made. Same bead-time; Same bead-channel.
Recommended Bead Links
- Beads Central Online Bead Store
- This website features some of the best beads available on eBay, including gemstones, clay , silver, lampwork beads, and more!
- Beads Central Blog
- Beads Central Blog will cover many bead topics, including jewelry designs, jewelry design techniques, wire jewelry, making lampwork beads, and many more topics. It is the companion site to beads-central.com.
- NicholeB's Lampwork Bead Website
- This link is to my own handcrafted lampwork beads and jewelry designs! It is a blog, so you can easily subscribe for updates on new beads and jewelry pieces.
How to Make Glass Beads on YouTube
See artists make glass beads!
Lampworking books on Amazon
Books to help you learn how to make lampwork beads.
When you are confident at the torch, pick up Corina's Passing the Flame book. This book reveals a lot of the key hints and tricks that are necessary to progress as a beadmaker, such as encased bubbles, use of difficult colors such as rubino oro, and much more.
Making Glass Beads
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 05/09/2008)
Beads of Glass
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 05/09/2008)
The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 05/09/2008)
The Art & Soul of Glass Beads: 17 Bead Artists Share Their Inspiration & Methods
Amazon Price: $18.24 (as of 05/09/2008)
Did You Paint That??
How lampwork beads are REALLY made!
It is a running joke how often lampworkers are asked "How did you get that real flower in there?" or "Did you paint that yourself?" But to someone who has never been exposed to handcrafted glass beads, it is difficult to imagine how glass beads are made (and just to be safe, no - they are not painted, and no - there are not real flowers in a bead!)A lampworker typically has a studio (usually in their home) that is stocked with his or her equipment and tools as well as oodles of glass and frit (frit is simply ground up glass sometimes used for decorating a bead). The glass is purchased by the pound and comes in rods that typically measure about 13 inches long and have a quarter inch diameter.
The beadmaker lights up her torch and heats the kiln, and flashes her mandrel (that has been coated with a layer of bead release) in the flame. Then, the glass is slowly warmed up in the edge of the flame and eventually heated up to a near-molten state.
The hot glass is applied to the mandrel, and the beadmaker skillfully rotates the mandrel so it recieves an even coat of glass in the size she desires. Once she has the colors and the size she desires, she can decorate the bead with glass stringer, frit, or other decorative elements.
When the bead is complete, the beadmaker allows the bead to cool to the point where it is no longer glowing, and then inserts in in the kiln to be annealed (and NO! A fiber blanket does not properly anneal a bead!). Annealing is very important, and if you are a jewelry designer, you should be sure the lampwork beads you use are annealed for the safety (and satisfaction) of your customers.
And one thing to remember is that a lampwork bead IS made of glass, so it needs to be treated accordingly in order to prevent cracks or breakage.
Hmmm... I think I need a glossary module.
New Lampwork Calendar by Corina Tettinger
Glossary
A Little List of Lampwork Jargon for Lampwork Newbies
ANNEAL:This simply means to cool the bead down in a slow and controlled manner (with a kiln). The reason lampwork beads must be annealed is because the nature of glass is such that it develops stress points and fractures when it cools off too fast and that stress can cause cracking at any time - right away to weeks or years later). Slowly cooling the bead in a kiln ensures that the bead contains the least amount of stress possible, which means the bead can last a lifetime without cracking with proper care.
A crock of vermiculite does NOT anneal lampwork beads. It may cool them slowly enough to not crack immediately, but it is not hot enough or slow enough to truly anneal them in order to reduce the internal stress fractures in the glass.
BEAD RELEASE or BEAD SEPARATOR:
A mud-like slurry that is applied to part of the mandrel and is allowed to dry. The bead release allows the bead to easily come off of the mandrel. If the molten glass is applied directly to the steel mandrel, it will be permanently bonded to the mandrel and virtually useless.
MANDREL:
A long thin steel rod that the bead is constructed on. When the bead is removed from the mandrel, a hole results.
STRINGER:
A very thin "string" of glass that a beadmaker makes by grabbing a little glob of molten glass with tweezers/pliers, then pulling it into a stringer that makes detail work easier. Well, easier with practice, anyways. It's actually kind of hard to balance a thin stringer of glass with a 2000 degree flame.
Books about beads
Lampwork Bead Books on Amazon
Creating Lampwork Beads for Jewelry
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 05/09/2008)
1000 Glass Beads: Innovation & Imagination in Contemporary Glass Beadmaking (500 Series)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 05/09/2008)
Collectible Beads: A Universal Aesthetic (Beadwork Books)
Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 05/09/2008)
Glass Beads from Europe: With Value Guide (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $26.96 (as of 05/09/2008)
Beads of the World: A Collector's Guide With Price Reference
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 05/09/2008)
Before You Begin Making Glass Beads
Educate yourself in advance so you know what you need to learn about lampwork beads.
When the decision is made to start making lampwork glass beads, it is tempting to go on a shopping spree for everything you think you need. However, it is important that the first steps taken are becoming familiar with the craft so you don't stock your studio with tools and equipment that you really don't need or neglect to purchase the items that you DO need.Some merchants would have you think it is easy to make glass beads so long as you buy their starter kit. What they don't tell you is that lampworking is a skill that is only learned with a lot of time and practice. What is worse is that certain merchants make money by teaching people how to make substandard beads that are prone to breaking.
I strongly advise that the first thing you do, before you buy any lampwork equipment or supplies, is to join a few forums dedicated to making glass beads (see my list of links below). By networking online with other bead artists, you can hear straight from the horses' mouths how the best studios are equipped. This will help you spend wisely so your initial investment isn't wasted.
Recommended Beginner Book
Making Glass Beads by Cindy Jensen
Making Glass Beads
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 05/09/2008)
List Price: $14.95
This is the book I started out with, on my HotHead torch (a single fuel torch, great for beginners on a tight budget). It offers step-by-step photos of making basic bead designs. Cindy Jenkins is a very kind and friendly person, not to mention she is a hoot! If you ever have the opportunity to meet her, you are in for a treat.
11 Essentials for Beginner Lampworkers
The things you need to get started making glass beads
1. Ventilation fan and hood2. Torch and air/gas hoses
3. Fuel (MAPP gas or Propane/Oxygen, depending on your torch)
4. Kiln (digital controller preferred to pyrometer)
5. Rose didymium glasses (NOT clear safety glasses)
6. Mandrels
7. Bead release
8. Glass rods (start with soft glass such as Effetre, Vetrofond, Lauscha, Creation Is Messy)
9. Shaping tools (at minimum, a graphite marver and a brass "stump shaper" tool)
10. Rod nipper tool
11. Long-nose pliers or large tweezers (for pulling stringers)
Recommended Intermediate Lampworking Book
Passing the Flame by Corina Tettinger
Passing the Flame: A Beadmaker's Guide to Detail and Design
Amazon Price: (as of 05/09/2008)
List Price: $75.00
If you can't get beyond basic bead designs or you need help in intermediate techniques such as making encased florals or using stringer, you need this book. Actually, if you don't have this book, you need it. It is *totally* worth the price, and it helped me SO much.
The style of the book is unlike any you've seen before, and being that the book is self published and the author wasn't an English major, there are plenty of spelling and grammar errors. But that is part of the charm, and reading this book with its casual and conversational tone will make you feel that you know Corina.
James Kervin Books
Kicking it up a notch - advancing your lampwork beadmaking skill
More Than You Ever Wanted To Know About Glass Beadmaking
Amazon Price: (as of 05/09/2008)
Bronwen Heilman: Vitreous Painting Techniques for Glass Beadmaking
Amazon Price: (as of 05/09/2008)
The classic bead shapes of Jim Smircich and his amazing control of heat
Amazon Price: (as of 05/09/2008)
Gail Crossman Moore's Borosilicate Beads of Nature
Amazon Price: (as of 05/09/2008)
Magazines About or Featuring Lampwork
Read the latest news and learn new lampwork techniques
Bead & Button
Amazon Price: $28.95 (as of 05/09/2008)
Step By Step Beads
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 05/09/2008)
Simply Beads
Amazon Price: $19.97 (as of 05/09/2008)
Beadwork
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 05/09/2008)
A Note to Jewelry Designers about Lampwork
Why use ARTISAN lampwork beads instead of cheap imported lampwork beads?
Well, let me put in in a different terms. What is the difference between Saks and Kmart? Or the difference between Jimmy Choo's and Payless? Or the difference between a diamond and rhinestone? Do you see where I'm going here?
Basically, you get what you pay for. Read further to find out why.
Why You Get What You Pay For
Artisan Beads vs. Cheap Imports
Artisan beads are unique and one-of-a-kind creations that originate in the mind of an artist. Cheap imported beads are mass-produced, and are very often poor copies of artisan beads. The factories have representatives that attend bead shows and actually purchase artist beads for the purpose of shipping off to the factory and having rip-offs made.
Aesthetically speaking, artisan beads are cleaned and examined to make sure they are free of defects and cleaned of all bead release so they are immediately ready for the designer to use. The factory beads are not. They are sold with bead release still in the holes (that is the white powdery stuff), and are often cracked or have little bits broken off.
THE GLASS:
The glass rods used by bead artists is clean and clear of inclusions and the colors have depth and beauty. It is tested by the glass manufacturers to ensure it is not only high quality, but compatible with like-glass and consistent. The glass is typically made in Europe (Effetre, Vetrofond, Lauscha, etc.) or the U.S.A. (Bullseye, Double Helix, etc.), and there is at least one good brand made in Japan (Satake).
The glass used in foreign factories is made with low quality glass that looks dirty upon close inspection. No care is taken to test the glass for compatibility, resulting in breakage. Also, bead factories do not anneal their beads - for them, kilns are an unneeded expense and waste of time.
THE BEAD MAKERS:
Artisan bead artists have invested a lot of time and money into learning their craft and acquiring the proper materials and equipment so they can use their imaginations. It is because of this investment that bead prices are higher, particularly for the more experienced bead artists.
Factory bead makers are paid very little, and many factories (such as those in China and India) utilize child labor. They work in sweatshop conditions. Because a bead factory is selling to the masses, the bead makers aren't concerned with using their imagination or "creative vision" and the beads have no life to them. Their concern is simply to produce as many beads as possible, as fast as possible.
Here is an even better article about lampwork quality at The Annealer Magazine
More Beady Stuff on CafePress
Express your Love for Lampwork Beads!
Lampwork Links
Artisan Lampworkers
If you are (or know) an artisan lampwork bead maker, post the link here!
When adding your link, please be sure that you add the http:// at the front, otherwise your entry will not point to your website. I'm afraid that links that don't work as well as multiple posts of the same link will be deleted.
Ever After... artistry in glass
sculpted florals, original whimsical lampwork bead more...3 points
Beads For A Cure - Shari Sislonski Lampwork Designs
Also known as Si Designs on ebay or beads for a cu more...3 points
the glass station - jewelry, etc by Kimberly Polka
artisan beads, jewelry and more by kimberly. one o more...2 points
Wee Gems Designs
artisan lampwork beads and jewelry. Specializing i more...2 points
Kimberly Affleck Lampwork
Handmade Flameworked Glass Art Beads2 points
Leah Fairbanks
Gardens of Glass1 point
Bluff Road Art Glass
1 point
Lori Greenberg
1 point
PhishStuff by Stef, Lampwork Beads, Jewelry, Stefanie Brooks
PhishStuff offers one-of-a-kind, glass beads and j more...1 point
Angelfire Art Glass - Lampwork Beads
Handcrafted lampwork beads, jewelry and accessorie more...1 point
The Artisan Nook
Handcrafted lampwork beads and jewelry...1 point
http://www.allmybeads.net/
Designs in Glass by Deb Altman1 point
Flame Crazy
1 point
Serenas Beadery - Handmade Lampwork Beads
Serenas Beadery1 point
Loribeads.com
handmade glass beads by lori peterson1 point
http://www.cindygimbronebeads.com
Cindy Gimbrone Beads1 point
Divine Spark Designs
From my heart to the flame - Beads with Soul!1 point
http://www.glassbeads1.com/
Arabesque Lampwork Studio
Handcrafted beads of gla more...1 point
Nancy Sells Glass
Unique, one of a kind jewelry pieces with an elega more...1 point
Home Page Canyon Echoes Lampwork Beads
HANDMADE ARTISAN LAMPWORK BEADS ANNEALED SELF REPR more...1 point
Firefly Handmade Glass
Lampwork Art by Carolina Sherrill.1 point
gellybutton.com
Handmade beads by Gelly1 point
Welcome to Hothead Beads
Flame torched glass beads by Teri Wathan1 point
RusticStudio
Lampwork beads & jewelry by Patty Pulliam1 point
Pamela Kay Designs - Welcome
Pamela Kay Designs Custom Jewelry and Beads in the more...0 points
Pati Walton
Lampwork Beads - Murrine0 points
Kim Fields at Northfire Designs
0 points
Lampwork Bracelets by LL Designs
Lampwork beads bracelets necklaces jewelry featuri more...0 points
Pieces Of The Sun Glass
Lampwork and jewelry by Jaci Sinkewicz0 points
Coyote MountainGrove Designs
Handcrafted jewelry, PMC, Lampwork and more.0 points
Hot Coles Glass
Lampwork and jewelry by Heidi Coles0 points
Chris Fisher's Art
Michigan Lampwork Bead Artist - Auctions Etsy & more...0 points
Pismo Contemporary Art Glass
0 points
The Jeweled Lizard Handmade Lampwork Beads
Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads, Jewelry, and Frit b more...0 points
Rank-A-Link!
Here are some good information and shopping links!
These are forums I participate in and vendors I've done business with (or highly recommend for other reasons).
Lampwork Etc. - A friendly place to bring together glass and jewelry artists.
(Forum) A friendly place to bring together glass a more...5 points
Spiral Dance Design
(vendor) This vendor produces and sells beautiful more...2 points
Glass Daddy
(vendor) This is a supplier of German Lauscha glas more...2 points
CattWalk Lampwork Tools - Glass Beadmaking Tool Supplies
(vendor)Catt produces a myriad of brass bead press more...2 points
Arrowsprings
(Vendor) This vendor offers great customer service more...1 point
Frantz Art Glass
(Vendor) This vendor is a great source for all the more...1 point
Glass Frit Blends by Glass Diversions & Lampworking Supplies - CZ's, Gold, Silver & Palladium Leaf
(vendor) Glass Diversions sells custom blended fur more...1 point
The Angry Mandrel (TAM)
(Forum) A forum that permits uncensored honest opi more...0 points
Handcrafted Artisan Glass Beads on Ebay
Bringing you some fine bead sets from Ebay!
Here are some hand crafted lampwork beads by "Self-Representing Artists" - that means, that the beads are made by hand by a studio artist, as opposed to being made by mass production in a sweatshop that utilizes cheap materials.
Check back often as Ebay updates this module automatically.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Handcrafted Artisan Beads on Ebay
Bringing you some fine Focal Beads from Ebay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byMore James Kervin books on Amazon
Just what you need to learn something new (or better)!
The fanciful floral beads of Leah Fairbanks and her gardens of glass
Amazon Price: (as of 05/09/2008)