I thought I would give everyone a small glimpse into the world of making lampwork beads.  I originally started to learn to make lampwork beads because I wanted my jewelry to stand out from the crowd, and I figured if I learned to make my own beads, well then, it would be more uniquely mine.  The more of each piece that I made by hand the more original and set apart my jewelry might become.

Then I took a beginners class in bead making.  That was pretty much it for me, I love making the lampwork beads as much as I love making the jewelry.  And now I am hooked lol and make enough not only for my own personal use but also plenty to share with you!  None are the same, if I make a set for me you will not see that set for sale here, and if I make a set to sell, I am not making another for me.

Anyway a brief rundown on how I make my beads.  I use several different sized stainless steel mandrels (stainless steel can withstand the high temperature, aluminum can't).  These are dipped in bead release which is a liquid mixture of clay among other things.  This keeps the glass from sticking to the metal, without the bead release, you get some very pretty plant stickers lol!

I then turn the kiln on and usually have the rods of glass that I am considering using (this can change at any given moment lol but I usually start out with a basic plan/color idea) ready to go and pre warming on top of the kiln. (The kiln "garages" or holds, the bead at 950 degrees until I am finished making that days beads, then goes through a 7 hour cool down period in stages to properly anneal them).  Then the torch gets hooked up and fired up.  (This is the fun part by the way). The rod of glass is then put into the flame and once it is soft I start to wind the glass around the mandrel.  Once I have enough glass for the size bead that I want, I use the flame to "cut" the glass.  Then its a matter of letting the heat from the flame, the spin of the mandrel and  gravity draw the glass into the shape that I want it to be. More glass, colors and designs are added depending on what which the glass tells me to go.  Once I am satisfied with the bead, it gets popped into the kiln.

Thank you for stopping by my Artfire Studio Blog. I have just settled in, so be sure to check back soon for updates!