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.
Many of them prefer to work from their home studios where they painstakingly produce their unique creations. They are made one at a time using different colors, styles and techniques. Some have created their own recognizable style through many years of working with beads. They are so devoted to producing quality products that they have no hesitation in offering guarantees to customers.
The most commonly used types of glass are soda-lime and borosilicate. The first is soft and comes in many colors. Borosilicate is hard, more expensive and fewer colors are available. It also needs a higher temperature requiring use of larger torches and oxygen instead of air. However, it is less likely to crack.
This glass comes in rods and a hand held torch is used to melt it. Another torch may also be attached to a bench for a stationary flame. The molten glass is wound onto a stainless wire called a mandrel. A pick, graphite paddles and tweezers are just some of the tools used for shaping the beads and making the holes. A kiln is needed to anneal the glass.
A glass rod is gently introduced to a flame or it cracks from thermal shock. As it melts it is wound round the mandrel which has also been heated. Shaping of a bead is achieved with the use of the heat, gravity and tools like graphite paddles.
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.
There are also techniques used for working with the beads once they have cooled. They may be etched with acid for a matte finish, sandblasted, faceted with grinders and polished or even painted. These techniques offer a whole range of creative possibilities. Annealing is a process of cooling down glass at the correct temperature. If it is cooled down too slowly, glass has stress and it can crack immediately, after a month or even after a few years. Mass produced glass objects may not be subjected to proper annealing and some are not annealed at all.
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.
Many of them prefer to work from their home studios where they painstakingly produce their unique creations. They are made one at a time using different colors, styles and techniques. Some have created their own recognizable style through many years of working with beads. They are so devoted to producing quality products that they have no hesitation in offering guarantees to customers.
The most commonly used types of glass are soda-lime and borosilicate. The first is soft and comes in many colors. Borosilicate is hard, more expensive and fewer colors are available. It also needs a higher temperature requiring use of larger torches and oxygen instead of air. However, it is less likely to crack.
This glass comes in rods and a hand held torch is used to melt it. Another torch may also be attached to a bench for a stationary flame. The molten glass is wound onto a stainless wire called a mandrel. A pick, graphite paddles and tweezers are just some of the tools used for shaping the beads and making the holes. A kiln is needed to anneal the glass.
A glass rod is gently introduced to a flame or it cracks from thermal shock. As it melts it is wound round the mandrel which has also been heated. Shaping of a bead is achieved with the use of the heat, gravity and tools like graphite paddles.
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.
There are also techniques used for working with the beads once they have cooled. They may be etched with acid for a matte finish, sandblasted, faceted with grinders and polished or even painted. These techniques offer a whole range of creative possibilities. Annealing is a process of cooling down glass at the correct temperature. If it is cooled down too slowly, glass has stress and it can crack immediately, after a month or even after a few years. Mass produced glass objects may not be subjected to proper annealing and some are not annealed at all.
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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