Unique Lampwork Jewelry

The making of unique lampwork beads starts from glass, which is heated by torch so that it becomes molten. This molten glass can then be shaped by winding it around a stainless steel of various sizes depending on whether you want to create a small or larger hole through the glass. The width of the hole depends on the width of the stainless steel rod, or mandrel, and once the glass is cooled, it can be slipped off the mandrel.

If you want to create a different style of lampwork bead, you can also let gravity allow the glass to start to slump or fall slightly, or you can take a tool to stretch it or pull it into various shapes depending on what you want to achieve as an end piece, or you can simply turn the mandrel as the glass cools forming a more perfect circle. You can use a small portion of glass, or more depending on the size you wish to create.

Lampworking isn't a skill that can be developed quickly; it takes patience and continuous practice. However, once you understand how to use your torch, how and when heat applied or how much makes glass start to flow so you can work with it, you will be on your way in developing very unique lampwork pieces. The special part of this creative process is making your unique lampwork piece or beads as decorative or plain as you want.

Since glass shrinks as it cools and the outside temperature and inside temperature are different, you do not want the glass to cool too quickly or it could easily stress the glass. Stressed glass appears as if there are tiny cracks in the glass. To help prevent glass from cooling too quickly, beads should be cooled in a kiln where temperatures are more accurately controlled and cooling can take place over many hours.