Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Making Lampwork Bead Earrings And Other Trinkets

Making Lampwork Bead Earrings And Other Trinkets



By Ines Flores





Arts and crafts are a sensational way to spend spare time either alone, or with family and friends. When a group gets together to create something beautiful, everyone has something positive to offer. For beginners in the world of arts and crafts, creating lampwork bead earrings is a great place to start.



Lampworking is a process where the beads are made by melting the glass with a torch or lamp, and it utilizes the same tools as glassblowing. The process has been used probably for thousands of years, although it is difficult to pin down a specific time or place in human history where this technique began. It is used to make other items such as figurines or glass die as well.



The soft glass known as soda-lime is the glass most often used in this technique even though the inherent instability can cause it to crack, and any chemical incompatibility can cause colors to run in ways not intended. The harder glass, known as borosilicate, is much more stable and better for creating multi-colored pieces, but it can be more difficult to get it heated up adequately. The ancient techniques used to heat the glass to a melting point would have made the use of borosilicate less time-effective.



Anyone learning to do beadwork with these pieces should consider starting their new hobby by learning to make the beads themselves. This ancient skill was also called flameworking or torchworking, as these are the methods that were used to heat the glass to a melting point. Recreating the old way before learning the modern and more efficient method can give anyone a new appreciation for our technological advancements.



As with our ancient ancestors, modern artisans can utilize such a unique skill productively and turn it into an income for themselves or their family. A ten second search reveals many individuals who have used the Internet as a means to make money from their art. For those who prefer a more personal approach, traveling with Renaissance Festivals or other fairs as a vendor can turn work into a permanent vacation experience.



These hobbies save as well as make money during the Holidays, for birthdays, anniversaries, or other special occasions. While teenagers might not agree, most adults would rather be gifted with something hand-made than anything from a retail store. Putting time and energy into a special gift means that item becomes priceless to the recipient.



Most Americans have seen the shift from primarily white-collar high-paying jobs to minimum wage service industry work. Anyone with the drive to learn a new trade and put it to good use can become self employed instead of struggling with part-time drudgery. A family business can spring to life that provides comfort and stability for more than one generation of their clan.



Most families sit around a television set being passively entertained, rarely interacting with one another in any meaningful way. Imagine a family who sits around a table and makes beads, ornaments, jewelry, or anything they like. That household has lively conversation and a true sharing of themselves which promotes a sense of happiness and well being.









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Making Lampwork Bead Earrings And Other Trinkets Making Lampwork Bead Earrings And Other Trinkets



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Making Lampwork Bead Earrings And Other Trinkets



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