beadlicious's Profile

Bio

WHAT IS LAMPWORKING?

By working molten glass in a process called Lampworking. That is because in the old days, glassworkers would use the flame of an oil lamp as a heat source to melt the glass.

Glass comes in rods of many different colours. These are hand pulled in Murano, Italy. The ending of the glass rod becomes molten in the high temperature flame of the torch. These days gas/oxygen torches are the most common lampworking tools.

As soon as the glass is heated enough and becomes flexible, it is wound around stainless steel wire (mandrel). The core of the bead is shaped and decorated with stringers and other techniques. Layers can be added on top of each other to achieve different effects. Precious metals can be incorporated into bead designs.

After the bead is finished, it is placed into a kiln, to soak in a high temperature heat to relieve all the possible stress inside and to prevent bead from cracking. When cooled down, the beads are taken off the mandrels and cleaned. They are now 'bead-licious' and ready for your designs!

Please check out my website: www.bead-licious.com for further information and custom orders.

Female, Born on May 17

Favorite Materials

Glass, Dichroic, Mesh, Copper, Sterling, CZ