Beth Grant makes lampwork beads.

Beth Grant demonstrates how she makes decorative glass beads by the lampwork method.

Using a propane torch, she turns different coloured glass rods into multicoloured beads by melting and turning them on a mandrill.

The beads are further decorated with small bits of glass called frit, and then finished in a kiln.

The finished beads are utilised to make jewellery and enhance small items such as pens and paté knives. Beth is based in Orton, Ontario. Recorded during the Hills of Erin studio tour in September 2007.

You can shop the many lampwork (and other) beads at http://www.sevenyaks.etsy.com

Lampwork Beads by Cindy Brown Now at Etsy.

7 Yaks Design now offers Cindy Brown Lampwork beads. <See More Here.>

Example of Cindy Brown Beads

From CindyBeads…

“Early in 1992 I saw my first lampwork beads while vacationing in Arizona. The world stood still when I realized they were made by hand….one at a time! Could it be that I could learn to do such a thing? Play with FIRE? After purchasing a few beads, I decided to give this amazing process a try so that I could individualize the jewelry I had just started making. Finding a teacher was my next order of business (not as simple in ‘92 as it is these days!). To make a long story short, I ended up purchasing a torch, some glass and Lewis Wilson’s first video and just took off from there! I’ve been happily making “Cindybeads” ever since! While I still continue to make and sell a little jewelry, there is nothing like “melting” to fill my days with happiness!”

Visit 7 Yaks Design at Etsy.com for more Jewelry and Knitting Supplies.

More New Lampwork Beads at Etsy.

I was able to offer more lampwork beads on my etsy site. I hope you like them. You’ll find some unique and beautiful designs as you can see from this sampling.

Amphora Lampwork bead at www.sevenyaks.etsy.com

Amphora Lampwork bead at www.sevenyaks.etsy.com

What are lampwork beads?

Lampwork is an old term used to describe beads made by melting glass with a flame and wrapping it around a metal rod. In the early days, people used to blow air through an oil lamp to create the necessary heat to melt the glass.

Today, artists use torches.

One of the important things to consider when purchasing lampwork beads is the method used to cool the beads. Many imported beads from India and China and a few other places use fiber blanket, sand, vermiculite or nothing at all to cool the beads. This cools the beads too fast and does not relieve the stress in the glass and they are more fragile.

Beads cooled with at true Annealing process in a kiln, however, are more stable and less breakable.

Artist made lampwork is usually of the highest quality versus commercial grade – it’s much less breakable, and beads are often very unique and made with more precision and care. They cost more, of course, but the quality is better and they are more stable.

Take a look at some of these videos to get a better idea of how these beautiful lampwork beads are crafted.

First come first served for these beauties. www.sevenyaks.etsy.com

Louise Little Glass Beads Now Available.

I am so excited to announce I have some Louise Little glass beads available at my online store. These are beautiful designs inspired by the Southwest.

I have a small selection and they won’t last long. Stop by the shop to see more of her wonderful work.