What is lampworking and how is a glass bead created?
Glass rods are melted and wound on a mandrel using either Moretti (Effetre) or Bullseye glass, there are other brands of glass, however these are the two types of art glass used in my handmade jewelry. This glass comes in long rods and their diameters range, not usually exceeding a quarter inch for bead making. The glass begins to move at around 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, and the glass is workable (it can be shaped or molded) at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. There are many different tools used in flameworking, usually made of stainless steel or graphite. Graphite tools are used because they don’t stick to the hot glass. Stainless steel tools will stick to hot glass while in the flame or when its at it’s hottest temperatures, however, they are very effective in shaping glass when properly used. Each of the glass beads are individually flameworked (torch-blown) and properly kiln-annealed overnight. By annealing the glass beads, they are guaranteed hard as rocks, durable enough for everyday wear
