Glass is one of the oldest materials known to man. Unique hand blown glass beads are available in assorted sizes, shapes and colors. These beads possess a special look making them a fabulous decorating element while making jewelery and other crafts. No matter where these beads are placed, they are sure to be noticed and admired for their beauty and individuality.

Process
Hand blown glass beads are manufactured by primitive process that was used hundreds of years before. With nothing more than a blob of molten glass, a long hollow pipe, and a few primitive tools, artisans produced excellent glass beads in a variety of shapes. The hand blown glass technique consists of blowing through a pipe onto a red-hot glass mass, heated in a special oven. As the artisan blows, he can start molding the piece by turning it around with the pipe. When the piece starts cooling, using the appropriate tools, beads can be molded. Color is added to the glass to give it a wonderful look, tones and effects.

Popular Forms
The various forms in which hand blown beads are available is limitless. It depends upon the creativity and skill of the maker. The creativity while making hand blown glass beads begin with making a simple bead; that can proceed to easy variations, such as overwraps and raked patterns; and beads shimmering with different metals and featuring millefiori, sculpting, and hollowing. The various shapes in which these can be found include round, button, oval, rectangle, drops, baguette, nugget, winding, briolette and many more.