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.
The tools used by these artisans are similar to those used by glass blowers. The glass comes in the form of glass rods. A torch with a stationary flame may be attached to a bench while a hand torch offers more flexibility of movement. Molten glass is wound onto a stainless wire called a mandrel. A tungsten pick may be used to bore holes in beads while a reamer made of graphite on a handle helps to enlarge them. A kiln is required 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.
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.
An artisan lampworker will ensure that holes in beads are cleaned properly and do not have rough edges that can cut the stringing material. If they are not cleaned properly, the dust from the releasing agent is hazardous to inhale. Artist made beads are more expensive but they often vastly increase the quality of jewelry made with them.
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.
The tools used by these artisans are similar to those used by glass blowers. The glass comes in the form of glass rods. A torch with a stationary flame may be attached to a bench while a hand torch offers more flexibility of movement. Molten glass is wound onto a stainless wire called a mandrel. A tungsten pick may be used to bore holes in beads while a reamer made of graphite on a handle helps to enlarge them. A kiln is required 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.
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.
An artisan lampworker will ensure that holes in beads are cleaned properly and do not have rough edges that can cut the stringing material. If they are not cleaned properly, the dust from the releasing agent is hazardous to inhale. Artist made beads are more expensive but they often vastly increase the quality of jewelry made with them.
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