HANDMADE Lampwork GLASS BEADS by SYLCRAFT

HANDMADE LAMPWORK GLASS BEADS by Sylcraft

Invididually handcrafted with love and care, these glass beads are unique as each is truly an artistic one of a kind creation. Some think this is glass blowing beads but it's actually called lampworking or flameworking because in the old days they used very different equipment than we have today since they did not have the torches and oxygen/gas setups we use in the present day. Generally today we use a torch with an oxygen/gas mix to heat the glass. This is a very old artform and has made a come back in the last few decades. 

Lampwork glass beads are made using tubes or rods of glass that are melted and then shaped on a wire to provide a bead hole or wrapped around a rod to make an opening. There are other ways of doing that but that is the most common way of providing a stringing hole. Its also why the hole sizes vary. Some larger beads are much better off with a larger hole due to the weight of them.  Most of my beads are made without molds. The sets are made using a basic form so they are more uniform but as each is made individually they will vary. 

There is a nice article here if you'd like to read more on the history and production of glass beads. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_bead_making

There are many catagories to look through. I've tried to divide them up so you don't have to go through pages of beads to find what you might be looking for.

Miscellanous designs, Sets, Animal beads, Florals and Focal beads, Lentil and Pillow style, Bumpy and Shaped include heart beads, crosses and more. Have fun looking!!