What does lampwork mean?
Previous Question || Return to FAQ ||Next QuestionLampwork beads refer to artisan beads that are handcrafted one at a time. A stationary gas-oxygen burner with flame, similar to lighting a torch and placing it standing on a table, is used to heat the tip of a colour glass rod to the point where the glass becomes the consistency of liquid honey or molasses. With the glass rod in one hand and a stainless steel rod called a mandrel in the other, the molten glass is wound around the steel rod by holding the glass rod still and twirling the mandrel, while also maintaining a specific temperature in the flame. This is very delicate and specific work. Imagine trying to pour molasses onto a stick and not letting any drip by continually turning the stick until the molasses is a ball on the stick. When the bead is removed from the mandrel the hole that is left by the mandrel is the hole that is used for threading. The glass then cools from the outside in, and glass shrinks as it cools. Allowing t
