Simple Glass Beadmaking Variations

Simple glass beadmaking variations, consists of different methods on how to manipulate different kinds of glass. There are many methods and techniques to choose from depending on what materials and equipments are available and going to use. Glass beads that are foiled, feathered, grooved, multi-coloured or decorated with spots, stripes, dots and eyes undergo simple glass beadmaking variations. There are many ways to turn a simple glass into a bead and these processes are lamp working, drawing, winding, pressing or molding and tubing. Glass beads are categorized as wound beads, drawn beads and molded beads. That’s why all glass beads that are seen beautiful and fascinating is made possible by these beadmaking variations. Though the art of glass beadmaking is simple and easy, it still needs a lot of concentration and skill.

In simple glass beadmaking variations, lampworking or lamp winding method is the most used and popular method in bead making. This method uses gas fuelled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass until it reaches molten stage. Glass is formed and shaped through the process of blowing and shaping technique. Lamp working is practiced even in ancient times using flame in oil lamp. Today, lampworking uses propane or natural gas on torches to burn a glass. After it reaches molten stage, annealing process is the next step. It makes the glass beads durable. That’s why most bead makers’ uses this method; you can produce lots of glass beads in different shapes and styles any time you want.

Simple glass beadmaking variations, consists of other alternative in making glass beads like the drawing and tubing method. This is done by pulling a strand out of a glass in a way to incorporate bubbles in the center of the glass to serve as the hole in the bead and this was accomplished by inserting a metal tube into the ball of hot glass and pulling the glass strand out around it, to form a glass tube. The drawn glass tube was chopped to produce individual drawn glass beads. Molding method is the process of putting thick rod in a flame till it reaches molten stage and fed into a complex apparatus that stamps the glass and a needle that pierces the hole. Molding method is expensive because of high labor cost.

Simple glass beadmaking variations, has different shapes, styles and finishes of glass beads. You just choose what you like best. These methods help a lot in producing different variations of glass beads that is used by many. It is a good thing there are many ways to choose from, to make it easy for you to do your beadmaking at home.