Lampworked glass beads or wound beads are created on a steel rod known as a mandrel. It's the mandrel that gives the bead its hole. Glass is heated at a torch till it is molten and then wound around the mandrel. Once cooled the finished bead can then be removed. This is the same way beads have been made for centuries. Contemporary bead makers are fortunate enough to have more sophisticated equipment and technology to enhance our lives.

There are many steps to prepare to make glass beads but you can work as simply as a single fuel propane or mapp gas set up to a propane oxygen set-up with a minor bench burner. Eye protection is of the utmost importance both in terms of flying chards of glass that can snap off and soda lime flare that hot glass emits. Didymium and Aura-92 are types of glass that blocks the flames' flare.

Working in a well ventilated area that is relatively fireproof is also important since there are issues with respiratory hazards between the exhaust from the gases burned to dust particles from bead release (the substance that mandrels are prepared with which allows the beads to be removed without sticking to the metal). Making beads means working with an open flame, which means the potential for burns rises. It's important to be very aware of flammable objects and their removal from your work space. Your work surface should be fire board, stainless steel, tiles or marble since you'll be working with hot glass and tools.

Once your workplace is properly set-up you begin. First prepare your mandrels. Stainless steel welding rods can be used but if you don't want to cut them yourself you can buy mandrels in various diameters from many of the suppliers of bead making supplies. I have listed some sources in the related info section on the links page. These suppliers can provide you with everything from mandrels and bead release to glasses and tools and of course glass. There are many different types of glass to work with, and it comes in different forms such as sheets, powders and rods which are most commonly used for bead making. The glass must test compatible to be used together which means that the coefficient of expansion (COE) must be the same. That means the glass expands and contracts the same when heated and cooled or it will crack from stress.

After your torch is lit the glass is heated to make a bead. You must be careful when first introducing the cold glass into the flame. Gradually heat it or you run the risk of it popping and cracking. Your mandrel needs to be preheated as the glass is heated. The glass will only stick to the 'mandrel if it is heated first. Once the glass is glowing orange it can be applied to the mandrel rolling the mandrel as the glass is applied. It is important to keep your mandrel moving so that the glass doesn't droop. When it's glowing it's rather soft. As you run out of glowing glass more glass should be fed into the flame. Wind off your glass to complete the bead and keep rolling it in the flame to allow it to form into a ball. Take the bead out of the flame and let the glow wear off , remember to keep the mandrel moving so the bead doesn't slump. Once the glow has worn off wave it in and out of the flame to even up the temperature of the bead. Bring it to a slight glow and then down again. Once the color is back in the bead place it between two ceramic fiber blankets or into vermiculite which will allow the bead to cool slowly.

This was a pared down description of making a bead. Two very comprehensive books on the subject are Cindy Jenkins' "Making Glass Beads" and Bandhu Scott Dunham's "Contemporary Lampworking" which I highly recommend. Making glass beads is one of the most rewarding things I can think of to do so give it a try and see if it's for you...

If you're interested in trying glass bead making check out my teaching schedule and see if there's a class near you.

January 6, 2007 11am-4pm - The Stitch Cafe - Beginning Glass Beadmaking. Learn glass bead making on a professional torch so you can make beautiful beads for your jewelry. No experience necessary. Limited space available. Supplies and tools provided. Just bring your imagination! Registration is online. Any questions please call 818.980.1234.

January 14, 2007 9am-5pm - Private Class hosted by Larry Cunningham w/Leigh Adams - Extreme/Advanced Vitrigraph. First the glass is housed in a kiln suspended from the wall. Once the glass has reached the perfect temperature it's released to flow down as gravitiy desires. Using tools and an assistant/gaffer the hot glass is manipulated and formed into shapes unachievable by other means. After a piece is snipped off it's brought over to torches to be further manipulated. 104 glass will be worked during this class. Limited space available. Glass experience preferred. Any questions please call 323.258.5068.

January 27, 2007 10am-3pm - Pacific Art Glass - Beadbrains II. Intermediate Glass Beadmaking. You've made beads, now learn to make great beads. Take your skills to the next level. We'll play with powders, metals and different techniques to make flowers and other fancy decorations. Limited space available. Material list at store. Any questions please call 310.516.7828.

January 28, 2007 11am-3pm - The Stitch Cafe - Fused Glass Buttons . A beginning glass fusing class to make glass buttons for your knitting projects. No experience necessary. Limited space available. Supplies and tools provided. Just bring your imagination! $25.00 materials fee. Registration is online. Any questions please call 818.980.1234.

February 10, 2007 1pm-6pm - Blossom Hill Studio - Beginning Glass Beadmaking. Learn glass bead making on a professional torch so you can make beautiful beads for your jewelry. No experience necessary. Limited space available. Material list at store. Any questions please call 951.784.3703.

March 10, 2007 10am-5pm - Pacific Art Glass - Beadbrains III. Advanced Glass Beadmaking. More. Better. Complex canes, vessels, hollows, and a tad bit of blowing. Can you say confetti?! Limited space available. Material list at store. Any questions please call 310.516.7828.

March 11, 2007 11am-4pm - The San Gabriel Bead Company - Beginning Glass Beadmaking. Learn glass bead making on a professional torch so you can make beautiful beads for your jewelry. No experience necessary. Limited space available. Material list at store. Any questions please call 626.614.0014.

April 14, 2007 10am-3pm - Pacific Art Glass - Beadbrains I. Learn glass bead making on a professional torch so you can make beautiful beads for your jewelry. No experience necessary. Limited space available. Material list at store. Any questions please call 310.516.7828.

April 21, 2007 1pm-6pm - Blossom Hill Studio - Beginning Glass Beadmaking. Learn glass bead making on a professional torch so you can make beautiful beads for your jewelry. No experience necessary. Limited space available. Material list at store. Any questions please call 951.784.3703.

May 5, 2007 11am-4pm - The San Gabriel Bead Company - Beginning Glass Beadmaking. Learn glass bead making on a professional torch so you can make beautiful beads for your jewelry. No experience necessary. Limited space available. Material list at store. Any questions please call 626.614.0014.

June 2, 2007 10am-3pm - Pacific Art Glass - Beadbrains I. Learn glass bead making on a professional torch so you can make beautiful beads for your jewelry. No experience necessary. Limited space available. Material list at store. Any questions please call 310.516.7828.

Updated 12.29.06