Melting Glass: Lampworking involves the process of melting glass in a hot flame on a steel mandrel. The molten glass is wound around the mandrel until the desired size and style are achieved. The flame used to melt the glass is produced by mixing gas, either natural or propane, and oxygen. Thus the flame produced is hot enough to melt glass. A torch is the primary tool for the flame. ...

1. The process of Lampwork beads making
Melting Glass: Lampworking involves the process of melting glass in a hot flame on a steel
mandrel. The molten glass is wound around the mandrel until the desired size and style are
achieved. The flame used to melt the glass is produced by mixing gas, either natural or propane,
and oxygen. Thus the flame produced is hot enough to melt glass. A torch is the primary tool for
the flame.
Shaping Beads: Once a bead is formed and the artist is finished with the actual creation process
there are several more steps involved before the bead is ready to be used in fine jewelry.
Decorating Beads: After the initial shaping of the bead, it can be decorated by applying molten
fibers (stringers) on the bead’s surface, creating dots or lines. Intricate patterns and designs can
be made with the use of a sharp tool. Lampwork glass beads can also be sandblasted or faceted
using conventional lapidary techniques.
Annealing Beads: When the design work is finished the bead needs to go through the annealing
process where it is reheated to around 1000°F to reach the proper “stress relief” point. Annealing
is the process of bringing down the temperature of the glass very slowly. Annealing makes a glass
bead very strong and durable. When a bead is taken out of the kiln it is still on the steel mandrel.
The cooled bead is soaked in water to soften the bead release agent. Once the bead is removed
the holes are cleaned and filed.
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