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The first
Italian Rod Glass, also known as Lampwork, began in 1450 A.D.,
in Murano, Italy, when Angelo Barovier invented “Crystallo,”
a clear soda glass. It was the new clear glass, but the first
lampworking apparatus was primitive and not very precise.
Even though glass blowing had become very popular it was poorly
suited for bead making. Finally, it was discovered that by
forcing a narrow stream of air into the flame from an oil
lamp, sufficient heat could be generated. Italian Rod Glass
or Lampworking as we know it today, had been born. The very
first “lampworkers” used their breath to create a stream of
forced air by blowing into a tube that was directed at the
flame. Of course hyperventilation became a continual problem
for the bead makers and later hand bellows were used followed
by the invention of foot-bellows.
The fascination
in glass beads and their use as adornment has reached a new
“revitalization” in the 21st Century. In the past ten years,
Italian Rod Glass beads have grown tremendously in popularity,
especially in the Pacific Northwest. These glorious glass
beads begin with fire, dedication, glass, hours of practice
and an idea. There are numerous techniques that can be used
in the creation of these tantalizing beads. Now, the basic
process of lampworking is taking Italian glass rods, approximately
1/4” in diameter, and wrapping them around a stainless steel
mandrel while holding both parts over an open torch of flame
until the glass is molten hot. By using the varied color spectrum
of glass rods, an assortment of modern day tools, skill and
a marvelous design . . . a glowing glass bead will be your
finished treasure. After each bead is created one at a time,
they must be annealed properly for strength and durability.
Our kilns are used for painting on glass, glass slumping,
glass fusion and bead annealing.
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