Making Handmade Lampwork Beads

I've seen the amazing work of lampwork bead artists and am in awe of the type of lampwork bead sets that are created! To give you a better understanding of when a bead is worth paying high dollar, this is the first of 3 articles that will increase your knowledge about quality glass beadmaking and help you learn what glass lampworking is and in the next articles direct you to where to buy for your handmade jewelry designs by introducing you to the work of amazing glass artists and why self representing artists are the way to go. But why is this important?
There is an astounding amount of mass produced glass out there, knowing what to look for will help you locate artisan quality lampwork bead supplies for your handmade jewelry designs. This article will also provide you with a starting place to learn about lampwork beads, where to locate and choose the best lampwork glass art for your timeless pieces.
Here are the answers you will need to understand when to buy handmade lampwork glass beads and how to find lampwork bead artists!
What is glass lampworking? Basically it is using a gas-fueled torch to melt glass rods. Throughout history, there has been glass lampworking, a type of glassblowing, or 'flameworking ' as it is now known, since most glass artists use gas fueled torches which mix oxygen or air as the oxidizer. This oxidation process increases the heat produced by the torch. In ancient times, the use of an oil lamp was used to heat the glass to a molten state, which was then shaped with tools and formed into beads and other art pieces.
A lampwork bead artist will often purchase similar types of glass, i.e. soft glass or hard glass, bead release, a torch and a kiln as the lampwork supplies to make handmade lampwork glass beads. The glass artisan will prep stainless steel rods, or mandrels, anywhere from 1/32 to 1/8 inch diameter or larger, by coating one end of the rod with a (clay based) bead releasing agent of some sort.
Next, the lampwork bead artist uses a torch to carefully introduce the glass to the heat until it is like honey and then wraps the material around the heated stainless steel mandrel to form the base of the bead. The bead can then be decorated using different materials and techniques. Once the bead is finished it typically goes right in to a pre-heated kiln, at approximately 860 degrees up to 1050 degrees, depending on the type of glass, for at least several hours to begin the process of annealing. Annealing the glass prevents it from cracking and/or shattering, due to thermal shock.
The annealing process releases the stress created from taking the glass from room temperature to over 1200 degrees, at which it is molten, and allows it 's internal temperature to become uniform where it is "heat-soaked ", allowing the release of internal stress for a period of time. The duration of this process depends on the thickness and type of glass used. Finally the piece is then cooled slowly back down to room temperature. Annealed glass lampwork beads are highly superior to glass beads which aren't annealed and thus can crack when exposed to minor temperature changes.
After reaching room temperature, the beads are then thoroughly cleaned of all bead release and ready for your limited edition jewelry designs. This is one area of great concern for bead artists as some of the releasing agents can be toxic to one 's health. Buy annealed glass from a self representing artist, you won 't be disappointed!