The Art of Making of Glass Beads

Beads are the part of every culture in different corners of the world. The art of making glass beads is known to mankind for more than 2000 years. As the popularity of the glass beads increased, different techniques were introduced. But these techniques remained no more a trade secret by the end of 17th century. A popular technique earmarked the production of "lamp worked" or "wound" beads. These beads were so called because the glass rods or mandrels were heated in the flame of an oil lamp and the molten glass was carefully wound onto a rod. Below are few simple instructions for making glass beads.

Getting Ready

• Dip the mandrel (long metal rod) in the bead release (a fireproof material), so that it forms a coating on the rod. Allow the mandrel to air dry.
  
  
• Clamp a MAPP or oxygen-propane torch to a heatproof surface or firmly place it on the stand.
  
  
• Wipe the glass rod using a clean piece of cloth to avoid any contamination.
  
  
• Make sure to put on safety glasses.
  
  
• Light the torch with help of lighter keeping the gas on low, turning it up when lit.
  

Making a Beads

• Start by heating the coated mandrel in the flame, move away from the flame when it is heated.
  
  
• Continue heating the mandrel while maintaining a little distance from the flame. Move the hot mandrel near the flame and than away from the flame, this will prevent it from breaking or cracking.
  
  
• As the glass starts to glow, bring it near the core of the flame.
  
  
• Rotate the glass rod slowly. The coating will melt and blobs will be formed. This molten glass will have thickness and consistency of honey.
  
  
• Touch the tip of the blob with coated part of the mandrel through flame.
  
  
• Slowly rotate mandrel to wind the melting glass.
  
  
• Pull the glass rod as the wounded glass is big enough, thus separating bead structure from the melting glass rod.
  
  
• Rotate the bulge formed in the mandrel in the hot part of the flame until any irregularities even out.
  
  
• If shaping is desired, work out on the beads in a marver (a flat, heatproof ceramic, metal or graphite surface)
  
  
• Let the bead cool in a fiber blanket or heated vermiculite.
  
  

The Finishing Touch

• Allow the beads to cool for at least 30 minutes.
  
  
• Use pliers to hold the mandrel and pull the beads using your fingers by twisting through the glass rod.
  
  
• Clean the beads with a small brush or pipe cleaner.
  
  
• Wipe the beads with dry cloth to remove dust or fingerprints.

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