Introduction to Lamp Working: Glass Beads 2025-26
- artandscienceofmat
- Oct 23
- 2 min read
ASSIGNMENT PART A
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Glass generally starts becoming malleable enough to shape at 1200 degrees F.
ANNEALING EXPLAINED
Annealing
Annealing is a term used in both metal and glass industries. When you heat glass, it expands and as it cools it contracts. This sets up stresses between the interior and the surface of the glass and if the glass cools too quickly it can cause thermal shock - or breaking.
When you anneal an object you are slowly raising the object in temperature to just beyond it’s “stress point” – which is a type of melt point that removes any internal stresses within the object. The idea is to hold (or flame soak) the object at just beyond this stress point for a period of time to remove any pressure inside the object. Then the item is left to cool down very slowly and this action will strengthen the object and provide it with long term durability.
Flame annealing is the technique of heating the bead at the end of your flame (increasing the propane slightly for a hotter flame) until it is lightly glowing red to remove any stress put into the bead. In flame annealing, you will rotate the bead out of the flame until it loses it’s glow and then place it in a fibre blanket or vermiculite to cool down slowly.
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Assignment Part B:
Make a symmetrical glass marble using gravity to shape the glass. Use a smaller stick of glass or one designated for this purpose. Be sure to replace that glass in proper location so it doesn't get mixed in with 104 COE
2. Create a glass bead. Present the bead on a bracelet, necklace or other application. If you want to create a more sophisticated bead you may as soon as everyone has had a chance to make a simple bead.
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