Beads by Mail Handmade Beads & Pendants, Lampwork, Raku, U.S. Made
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Since glass becomes molten when heated to a certain temperature, glass artists can create any shape as well as layers while holding the glass over a flame (or lamp). If you see a bead with raised decoration, bumps, dots, swirls in another color, sparkly "goldstone" feathering, foil inside, or other applied decoration, that is most likely a lampwork bead. Many glass artists produce unbelievably complicated beautiful collectors' items in glass selling for $hundreds. We have a varied collection. Origin of beads, mostly USA. There are more lampwork beads on the Venetian beads page.
Very Unique Beautiful Handmade Bead
Fabulous bead, called "Mesa", appropriately, from a U.S. glass artist. dramatic and looks wonderful as a focal bead with
coral, turquoise, onyx, and many other gem accents as you can see (necklace not for sale). Large hole for easy multiple stringing.
Mesa is 2.5" long with a
smoothly polished surface.
As with all hand made beads, each one is an original. Image enlarged to show detail.
"Mesa" bead, $90.00 each.
Unique and Beautiful Handmade Bead
A slightly different approach from the same glass artist, this bead is called "Strata". We show it with some
pearls and hematite which would complement it very well. I can see it as a focal bead with a very
long double strand of pearls of different earth tones strung randomly. It has tremendous surface play, a matte finish, and
a very exciting creative spirit. Just over 2" long and large hole. We also show it with faceted labradorite which would
enhance its depth and colors beautifully.
"Strata" bead, $90.00 each.
Lampwork Teapot
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| Above, our new lampwork teapot is a tiny treasure! Handmade by a
US glass artist. The flowers are purple (they look black in photo).
The hole is vertical through the center or you can hang it by the handle. 18mm high x 25mm wide.
Lampwork teapot, |
Wonderful Whimsical Artistic Raku Beads
See Explanation of how Raku is made at bottom of page
All signed "Roma". Color is on one side, many have designs on the obverse, which is a solid gray color.
Primitive flavor Raku bead/Pendant
These striking, dramatic beads are 2-sided. One side has the coppery iridescent raku colors. The other side has an engraving of a Japanese gentleman. Each is drilled both ways so you have your choice of how to string it. Somewhat 3-dimensional. Size 2" high x 3/4" wide. African raku pendant, $28.00 each.
Amazing Face Creations in Raku
These are not only artistically original but entertaining as well. I love face beads and here you have a choice of 3 different groups. Each group has 7 faces, each one unique! The top strand has the largest sizes, the center one is 30x20mm. This #1 selection is rich copper. The copper color of most of the faces is much more coppery than shown in the photo. The middle group #2 is the smallest, size is about 14mm, and they have faces on both sides! which makes them good for earrings. Color is iridescent raku, some coppery tones. The bottom group is medium sized, #3 iridescent raku, very much in the red/violet range, largest one about 25x18mm. Raku faces, #1 selection, $52.00. #2 selection, $40.00. #3 selection, $45.00.
Another Face Creation in Raku--The Moon?
Here is another style of face bead that is also charming. There is a face on each side. About one inch in diameter. They are also drilled both ways, lengthwise and sideways. Enlarged to show texture & detail. Raku moon bead/pendant, $12.00 each, 2 for $20.00.
Interesting Raku "Cartouche" shapes
These are randomly shaped and decorated pendants with abstract or floral designs. Size is about an inch. You can specify which one you want on the shopping cart page. (A cartouche is a small symbolic piece with a meaningful design.) Raku shapes, $6.99 each.
Charming Dichroic Pendants
Here are a few very pretty pendants of dichroic glass which is also quite nice. About an inch long with
sterling loop, they are colorful and would look well with glass bead accents.
Dichroic pendant, choose emerald, cobalt, silver, or blue, OLD PRICE $23.00 each, NEWPRICE $13.99 EACH
One of a Kind Lampwork/Dichroic Vase Made in the US
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| Above, a wonderful lampwork design with dichroic glass colors, a difficult challenge of glass making, by a US glass artist. The colors are vibrant and lovely together and especially when combined with American turquoise as shown here. The vase has an opening in the top so I put a couple "sprigs" of turquoise and moonstone. The diagonally drilled dichroic beads were made at the same time by the same artist and go with the vase beautifully. The vase is just over an inch tall. The bead is about 17mm. The photo on the right is enlarged to show detail. Please note, the vase is not drilled through. You might want to use 14k gold wire to attach it, or silk thread in a matching color. Lampwork dichroic vase with 2 pink dichroic beads, $120.00. |
Raku Explained
Raku is a technique used in firing pottery that results in beautiful iridescent colors and abstract shapes. The use of a reduction chamber at the end of the raku firing was introduced by the American potter Paul Soldner in the 1960s, in order to compensate for the difference in atmosphere between wood-fired Japanese raku kilns and gas-fired American kilns. Typically, pieces removed from the hot kiln are placed in masses of combustible material e.g., straw, sawdust, or newspaper in order to provide a reducing atmosphere for the glaze, and to stain the exposed body surface with carbon .
Although almost any low-fire glaze can be used, potters often use specially formulated glaze recipes that "crackle" or craze (present a cracked appearance), because the crazing lines take on a dark color from the carbon.
The process is known for its unpredictability, and pieces may crack or even explode due to thermal shock. The glaze firing times for raku ware are short, an hour or two as opposed to up to 16 hours for high-temperature stoneware firings. This is due to several factors: raku glazes mature at a much lower temperature (under 1800°F, as opposed to almost 2300°F for high-fire stoneware), kiln temperatures can be raised rapidly, and the kiln is loaded and unloaded while hot and can be kept hot between firings.
Because temperature changes are rapid during the raku process, bodies used for raku ware must be able to cope with significant thermal stress. The usual way of dealing with this is to incorporate a high percentage of quartz, Grog (prefired clay that has been finely ground), or Kyanite into the body before the pot is formed. Each of these materials is used to add strength to the clay body and to reduce thermal expansion. Kyanite is often the preferred material because it contributes both mechanical strength and, in amounts up to 20%, it significantly reduces thermal expansion.
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