Getting started with glass beadmaking

Getting started with glass beadmaking is not that complicated as what other thinks. You just have to know the different details or information in glass beads. You have to know the different sizes, styles and finishes of glass beads. Getting started with glass beadmaking is starting from the basics of glass beadmaking from knowing the tools and equipments, supplies and work place, to the step by step procedures in making glass beads. Familiarizing yourself also to the techniques in making beautiful beads is required. This is a good step in getting started with glass beadmaking whether you’re a hobbyist or planning to put up a business in making glass beads.

In getting started with glass beadmaking, you must know the different kinds of glass beads, from the popular to the simplest ones. The different glass beads that are commonly used are cat’s eye beads, glass seed beads, lamp work beads, round beads, crystal beads, hematite beads, porcelain beads, dichroic beads, Czech glass beads and many other more,. They come in different sizes like, oval, heart, teardrop, diamond, round, square and tube, choose whatever you like. There are three categories that beads fall in, wound beads, drawn beads and molded beads. The wound glass beads are the earliest beads made of true glass that undergo winding method. Pressed or molded beads are said to be expensive kinds of beads due to high labour cost. These are mostly manufactured in Czech Republic. They are known for making expensive beads and molded glass lion’s teeth, coral and shell beads that are popular today.

There are also step by step procedures that must be learned in getting started with glass beadmaking. You must follow and understand different process in making glass beads. The different details you must know in making glass beads are lighting the torch, prepping the mandrels, finishing ends of beads, marver method, annealing in the kiln, winding beads heating glass, removing beads in mandrel, varying bead’s shape and annealing cooled beads. You must also learn different techniques like intermediate techniques like using foil, leaf and mica flakes even advance technique also but these techniques are for professional bead creators.

Getting started with glass beadmaking has precautions to follow and observed. There are also basic materials and equipments to provide in making glass beads. Learning also different processes will make it easier for you to start your first beadmaking experience. You can even start your own beading business for beads can be a good source of income. Now you know all of these in getting started with glass beadmaking, get those hands working and make a beautiful glass bead now and experience the pleasure it brings.