Bead making is a highly valued art and skill throught the entire world. It had its beginnings from very early times. Handmade lampwork beads are made on a metal called mandrels. Molten glass is wound on the rod and then designs with other color added to enhance the bead.
After the handmade lampwork glass beads are made, they are then put into a kiln that will heat all parts evenly and then allwed to cool slowly to reduce the stress in the bead. This is called annealing and it is a nessary part of bead making.
Aftter the bead is cooled, is removed from the mandrel. The beads are now ready to be incorporated into a beautiful piece of jewelry.
I am a lampwork artist. I have been making my own beads for about two years. I incorporate my handmade beads into my jewelry with other factory beads. If you would like to special order some lampwork beads, please contact me by email. I am located in des moines Iowa.