The Lampwork Technique
Lampworking involves the process of melting glass in a hot flame on a
steel mandrel. The molten glass is wound around the mandrel until the
desired size and style are achieved. The flame used to melt the glass is
produced by mixing gas, either natural or propane, and oxygen. Thus the
flame produced is hot enough to melt glass. A torch is the primary tool for
the flame.
Once a bead is formed and the artist is finished with the actual creation
process there are several more steps involved before the bead is ready
to be used in fine jewelry. The bead is then placed in a kiln to start the
annealing process. Annealing is the process of bringing down the
temperature of the glass very slowly. Annealing makes a glass bead very
strong and durable. When a bead is taken out of the kiln it is still on the
steel mandrel. The cooled bead is soaked in water to soften the bead
release agent. Once the bead is removed the holes are cleaned and filed
for smoothness.
Artist made “Lampwork” glass beads are one-of-a-kind, and should be
considered art work that is wearable. No two beads are identical. (Teays
River Earthworks © )
Lampworking involves the process of melting glass in a hot flame on a
steel mandrel. The molten glass is wound around the mandrel until the
desired size and style are achieved. The flame used to melt the glass is
produced by mixing gas, either natural or propane, and oxygen. Thus the
flame produced is hot enough to melt glass. A torch is the primary tool for
the flame.
Once a bead is formed and the artist is finished with the actual creation
process there are several more steps involved before the bead is ready
to be used in fine jewelry. The bead is then placed in a kiln to start the
annealing process. Annealing is the process of bringing down the
temperature of the glass very slowly. Annealing makes a glass bead very
strong and durable. When a bead is taken out of the kiln it is still on the
steel mandrel. The cooled bead is soaked in water to soften the bead
release agent. Once the bead is removed the holes are cleaned and filed
for smoothness.
Artist made “Lampwork” glass beads are one-of-a-kind, and should be
considered art work that is wearable. No two beads are identical. (Teays
River Earthworks © )
©2008 Bronze Bullet Design
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