What Are Furnace Glass Beads?
Furnace glass beads are a type of art bead used in jewelry making. They are hand crafted using glass working techniques to impart colors, shapes and styles.
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Technique
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Furnace glass beads, also referred to as cane beads, are made by stretching out molten glass. It needs to be kept hot throughout the process by putting it back into the fire. The end of the cane is clamped and the glass is stretched out. Other colors can be twisted in, and special tools can make shaped edges.
Styles
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There are many different color combinations offered by furnace glass beads. Popular colors include black and white, different shades of blue, and multicolored twists.
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Shapes
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The beads can be shaped in triangles, circles, rondelles, squares and rectangles. There are specialty shapes like flowers and long ovals.
Annealing
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The furnace part of the bead name comes from the fact that they require large kilns to anneal in. Unlike lampwork beads, furnace glass beads are very long. They do not get cut until after the creation process is over.
Top Artist
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David Christensen is one of the most famous furnace glass bead artists. His work can be found at many large bead suppliers, as well as numerous bead shows.
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