|
In The Studio
So what exactly IS Lampwork bead making? It's the process of using a flame to melt glass and form it into a bead. The process, while it is thousands of years old, takes advantage of the modern conveniences of propane, oxygen concentrators and bench torches.
Here are some pictures my son took of me "at the torch".
An initial bead of glass is wound onto a steel rod, or mandrel and heated to even out and create a round shaped bead. Thinglass rods are used to decorate the base bead. In this case, I am creating raised dots. Takes a steady hand...........
The dots are then heated to carefully meld them to the base bead, but not overheating them or they will melt right down into the bead. Those orange glowing dots on the bead are actually molten dots of lavendar glass.
And here I am in my "studio", which is actually just a big corner desk in front of two generous windows. Ummmmm, this is supposed to be a "neat" work area. Oooops. |
