Lampwork is a centuries old technique used to create intricate glass beads that are works of art in themselves. The process includes flame heating glass rods until glowing, then carefully shaping it round a rotating mandrel. This technique can be used to create simple one
Colour, smooth surfaced beads but are often re-worked with different colours,
Gold/
Silver leaf and smaller beads of glass added to the surface.
This can achieve some really stunning results. Lampworking is the most time consuming glass bead making technique as each bead has to be formed individually. The beads are allowed to cool on the mandrel then are removed leaving a hole for stringing. Choose from our range of lampworkbeads
here.
Venetian glass beads
Venetian glass beads (also known as Murano glass beads) originate from Venice dating back to 1291 and are renowned for their quality and craftsmanship. Today they are still made in Venice and Murano, known as the 'glass island' by masters of the trade. Venetian glass is composed of 60-75% silica, 12-18% soda, 5-12% lime and is known as soda lime glass. The beads are created by heating up these Venetian glass rods and shaping them over a stainless steel mandrel. Many different effects are achieved including gold & silver foiled, layered coloured beads and Millifiori glass beads.
Foiled glass beads
Foiled glass beads are created in a similar way to the Lampwork and Venetian beads. Coloured or
Clear glass rods are heated in a flame then wrapped around the mandrel to
Shape the bead. After this, a layer of gold or silver leaf foil is laid over the top then a final layer of clear or transparent coloured glass is placed on top to seal in the foil. Foiled glass beads are sometimes referred to as silver lined beads.
Dichroic glass beads
Dichroic glass is being used more and more to create high end beads and cabochons for jewellery making. A layer of iridescent foil is bonded to the surface of the glass giving the beads multi-dimensional colour.
There are some mesmerising dichroic glass beads available today featuring rainbows of colours and intricate patterns. These beads can be created by pressing or by the traditional lampworking technique of heating the glass rod and shaping round a mandrel.
Silver Lined Glass Beads
Silver lined glass beads are clear or coloured transparent beads that have had their bead holes coated with a metallic silver lining enhancing their sparkle and luminosity. This technique is used frequently in seed bead production. The famous Japanese brand
Miyuki have an amazing range of shimmering silver lined glass
Seed beads in different
Shapes and sizes.
Millefiori Beads
Millefiori (Itallian for 'Thousand Flowers')is a decorative glasswork technique producing beads and glassware with intricate and very colourful floral patterns. Millefiori canes are created from many thin rods of coloured glass heated and fused together in patterns. The design is visible in the cross section of the cane (a bit like a stick of rock with a pattern in the centre). When the cane is cooled, it is cut into beads or sliced and layered onto plain glass beads to create a patterned surface.
Glass pearls are created in the same way as regular glass beads but after the beads have cooled, a shimmering pearlescent coating is applied to the surface. As with all other beads there are different levels of quality available on the market today.
The best quality glass pearls have multiple coats to enhance the shimmer and durability. See our range of
glass pearls here.
Czech Pressed Glass
Pressed glass beads are most commonly associated with the Czech Republic. They are cheaper to produce than Venetian and lampwork beads as multiple beads are created on one hot glass rod at the same time. The glass rods are heated and then pressed in a machine with a moulded press and needle holes.
We have a wonderful collection of Czech pressed glass beads including large decorative focal beads, dagger/tooth beads, fire polished faceted beads and SuperUno/SuperDuo seed beads.
Hand Painted Glass Beads
Hand painted glass beads can be highly decorative and this technique allows for so many creative possibilities. Patterns are painted onto already annealed glass beads with a special glass paint before being heat treated again to set.
Fire Polished
Fire polished beads, originating in the Czech Republic are renowned for their quality and size consistency. Pressed glass beads are faceted then treated with a high heat to smooth the cuts and enhance their shine.
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