How To Make Your Own Glass Beads

Glass beads, some of the oldest manmade materials, are thought to have originated in 3500 B.C. Today, beads are still very much sought after and cherished by collectors and people who create glass jewelry. Besides jewelry, glass beads are found adorning many types of functional and decorative items. Using the lampwork process, a method of melting and shaping glass using a table-top torch, you can create beads as simple or as complex as you want and begin building a solid set of skills for working with glass.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Torch kit with propane or MAPP gas
• Pressuried oxygen (not required for Hot Head torches)
• Didymium safety lenses
• Ventilation system
• Kiln or vermiculite
• Mandrels
• Bead release
• Clear and colored glass rod(s) of your choice

1. Dip your supply of mandrels in a bead release solution (available from glass-supply vendors) and allow to dry. Follow the directions on the bead-release container to determine the length of time needed.

2. Rotate your mandrel in the flame of your MAPP, the brand name of propylene gas, or oxygen-propane torch until it obtains a light red glow from the heat.

3. Hold a clear or colored glass rod in one hand, your mandrel in the other and touch the glass to the coated part of the mandrel. Keeping the glass rod in the flame, rotate the mandrel so that as the rod melts and the glass begins to wind around automatically.

4. Overlap the glass as you continue winding so that the bead begins to build in mass. The amount of winds determines how large your bead becomes.

5. Rotate the bead in the flame to melt in the glass once you achieve the size that you desire. The goal is to smooth out any obvious ridges so that the bead takes on doughnut or tire shape.

6. Decorate your glass beads using the design of your choice. Some classic techniques include dot patterns, stringer work and flowers. Heat your designs after applying them to ensure a secure connection.

7. Place your bead in a kiln or bury it in vermiculite so that it anneals.

8. Retrieve your beads after the annealing process, and remove the bead from the mandrel by twisting and pulling it. If you have trouble removing the bead, use a pair of pliers to grip the mandrel and push against the bead or place the bead under running water in order to loosen the bead release.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are working with soft glass, heat your rod in the back of the flame first. Soda lime glass has more thermal shock tendencies than borosilicate glass does.
• Always wear your didymium safety lenses when working with glass Never work on the torch until you understand the health and safety considerations and are set up with a proper ventilation system.

References

• GlassOnline.com -A Brief History of Glass
• How to Make a Lampwork Bead - Beadworx.com

Resources

• How to Make a Lampwork Bead - Beadworx.com
• Corinabeads - Tips and Tricks for beadmakers