Things to Know about Lampwork Beads
What exactly are lampwork beads and how are they made? Lampwork beads are little works of art. They are created one at a time by melting glass around a stainless steel rod (mandrel) that has been coated with a thin clay substance called bead release. The bead release allows the bead to be removed later instead of sticking to the mandrel. Beadmakers today create their beads using surface mix torches (propane and oxygen) that produce flames with a temperature of about 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. The artist winds the glass around the mandrel, using metal tools to help shape the glass, until the right size and shape are achieved. The artist can add additional designs, building on the initial footprint or can encase the bead entirely in clear. The possibilities are endless and are limited only by the artist’s imagination and level of skill.
What is annealing and why is it important? When the bead is completed it is placed in a kiln to anneal. This process of annealing aligns the glass molecules thus reducing the internal stress on the bead and making it much less likely to break. Beads that have been properly annealed and that are treated well can last a lifetime. The most important part of the annealing process is a very gentle and gradual cooling of the bead, bringing it slowly to room temperature.
How are lampwork beads cleaned? When a lampwork bead has cooled to room temperature it is taken out of the kiln and removed from the mandrel on which it was made. Mandrels can be used over and over many times. The bead release that was used to coat the mandrel so that the bead wouldn’t stick must be removed in order for the bead to be clean enough to be used in jewelry. Most beadmakers use a Dremmel tool and a diamond coated bit to remove the bead release. Once the bead is clean then it is ready to go to its new home.
Are lampwork beads durable? Yes, if you treat them with care.Even artisan made lampwork beads can crack if you drop them on the floor. Annealing doesn’t make them invincible. They are still glass and must be treated with some care. Annealing merely makes them more durable by relieving internal stress. Smaller round beads are the least likely to break if you drop them, and most will simply bounce without sustaining any damage. The larger or more sculptural a bead is, the more likely it is to be damaged if you drop it. Keeping this in mind, treat your lampwork jewelry kindly. Don’t throw them onto the dresser or use extremely delicate beads in a piece that is likely to get banged around a lot (like a charm bracelet). With normal care lampwork beads can become heirlooms you can pass down to your children.
I've seen strands of lampwork beads made in China for a lot less than yours. Why the difference in price? Mass produced lampwork beads are made in the same fashion as artisan lampwork, however much less care is given to the quality of the designs and the beads are not kiln annealed. Although they are made one at a time in a torch flame, the similarities end there. Instead of going into a kiln to anneal most mass produced lampwork is not annealed and therefore carries within it the potential for stress cracks days, weeks, sometimes months after the beads are produced.
What should I look for when purchasing lampwork beads? When you are purchasing lampwork beads check to see if the artist is a SRA (self representing artist). This is one indication that you are buying quality beads. Check for internal cracks, chips or sharp edges. Good lampwork beads should have smooth, puckered holes. At bead stores and shows if you can buy lampwork by the strand for next to nothing, then it is not artisan made and the beads are likely (very likely) to crack at some time in the future. If you make jewelry to sell you don’t want the beads in your jewelry to crack after you’ve sold it to a customer. Some of the cheaper massed produced beads even have the bead release still coating the inside. If you try to remove it the bead is likely to crack. When the beads are used in jewelry, the bead release will flake off over time, getting on your clothing and posing a health hazard if you breathe the dust.
I want to learn to make beads. How long does it take to learn? Lampwork is like golf. You can learn to play golf in one day, but it takes years to get really good at it. Quality lampwork beads are worth every penny you pay for them because of the years of practice it takes to produce them. As a hobby you can become fairly proficient in a few months, but the more you are willing to practice the better you will get. Lampwork really is one of those things where practice, practice, practice applies.
