Creating Glass Flame Work Beads
I love making my own beads to use to create my jewelry. So I thought I’d answer some questions about what you would need to do this and where you could find your supplies.
“Creating beautiful beads begins with having beautiful glass.”
What Equipment Do You Need?
I have a small studio where I make my beads.The equipment I use includes a propane tank, an oxygen concentrator (a machine which takes oxygen out of the air), a Nortel minor burner, and I have an Even Pro Kiln.
What Supplies Do You Need?
I use glass rods with a COE of 104. The types of glass rods that I use are Effetre which comes from Murano, Italy, Creation is Messy made in China, and Lauscha Glass made in Germany. My favorite place to order glass rods and other supplies from is All That Glass LLC located in Texas. Sharon Rogers, the owner, is so knowledgable and helpful. Her husband, Dick makes sure you get your supplies quickly.
I use stainless steel mandrels which vary in circumference. I use Bead Release, mandrels are dipped in this so that you can take the beads that you make off the mandrels when they are completed.
I also use a variety of tweezers, a paddle, mashers, and most importantly safety glasses.
The Making of Glass Beads using A Torch
A glass bead is made by heating a mandrel in the flame of your torch to start. You would then introduce a glass rod to the flame and move it back and forth until the glass begins to soften. Carefully you wrap the glass around your mandrel by turning the rod away from you. The mandrel is below the flame, and the rod is in the flame. When you have rolled enough glass around the mandrel for the size bead you want, you continue to roll the mandrel with the glass in the flame. Take it out of the flame, continue rolling until the shape is what you would like. You cool the bead down enough so that the shape will remain. You then place bead and the tip of the mandrel into a kiln so that the glass will anneal. The bead must then come down to room temperature before it is removed from the kiln, or it will break. Please note this is a very abbreviated explanation.
Where Can You Learn this Craft?
I started to make beads learning from fused glass maker, Lynn Haust. I have been lucky enough to attend workshops at Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program with teachers like Stephanie Sersich and Liliana Glen. I have also gone to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts with Kristina Logan. I am sure if you look in your own area, you find a school or another artisan that is willing to share their knowledge and their craft.
