Lampwork Bead History
Austin Hamilton lampwork beads are individual works of art with numerous dazzling
designs that come from a rich history of glass bead making.
While beads of any kind possess an assortment of vibrant colors atop varying shapes
and sizes of handcrafted artistry, lampwork beads are very unique pieces of art that
developed from rods of inimitable soda-lime glass. Centuries of glass-making knowledge
was once quietly passed down from one generation to the next to preserve the well-kept
art form.
For the past few centuries, Europeans and other worldwide connoisseurs have been amazed
by the beautifully handcrafted glass bead of Italy and Bohemia. Only in the past few
decades have skilled artisans around the world began experimenting with torch working
to make lampwork beads more readily available to jewelry designers like you.
In recent years, tools like graphite paddles and tweezers have been developed to better
assist in the creation of lampwork beads. Techniques are now shared among artisans and
there is more consistency when it comes to making quality lampwork beads. This emerging
art form requires a commitment to tradition and the ongoing pursuit of quality.
Austin Hamilton lampwork beads are the result of a deep respect for timeless tradition
and an ongoing quest for glass bead offerings that add to your jewelry design palette.
