Glass Beads In Vogue

By Author: Little lee
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During the early Stone Age, the first beads were made with some naturally existing materials. Glass is a wonderful and a mysterious metal that is found on the face of the Earth. Glass beads were of immense use to the ancient people and served various purposes. For example, blue colored beads were used for spiritual or ritualistic purpose. In some cultures, the beads were considered invaluable and powerful, especially the blue ones. One can get good prizes from getting wholesale beads. They were also used for trading, as currency.

Faience beads were the first glass beads that were created by the ancient Egyptians. Some of the beads that are used as an inspiration in modern bead making are – melon beads, dot-in-circle beads, eye beads, DZI beads, warring state beads, gold glass beads, face beads and mosaic beads.

Skills Required for Glass Beads Making:
• Dipping Mandrels
• Cleansing the glass
• Using the torch to define each details of the glass bead
• Shaping and perfectly designing the glass beads
• Annealing

Equipments ...
... Necessary for Glass Beads Making:

Glass bead making involves different types of techniques that can be learnt with experimentation. It can also be formed by combining various techniques. Let’s discuss some of the fundamental equipments that are required for glass beading:

1. Torches:
This equipment can be used, if you designing glass beads using soft glass. Single-fuel torch that works with propylene brazing fuel is the best choice for beginners. The flame that comes out of this torch is cooler as compared to other torches. For, advanced glass bead designers, dual-fuel torch can be more advantageous as the flame can be adjusted for detail work with the use of oxygen tank.
2. Hoses:
In case, if you are using dual-fuel torch, hoses are required to supply oxygen and propane. This can be purchased from a bead-making supplier or a welding supplier. If you are purchasing from beading supplier, the hoses will already be attached to the fittings. Usually, green colored hose is attached with the fitting that supplies oxygen to the torch and red colored hose for propane discharge. For secure connections, it is always better to confirm it with the supplier from whom you are purchasing the hose.
3. Check Valve:
It is also known as flashback arrestor. It is a very indispensible element that is used as a safety device. The flow of oxygen and propane should be a one way discharge. It should not flow back to the tank, as it will lead to an explosion situation. The cause of the flow back can be due to blockage at the tip of the torch. In order to prevent this situation, a flashback arrestor should fit at the end of the hose.
4. Regulators:
Regulators are used to describe the pressure of the gas flowing to the torch. It also keeps a check on the rate of flow of gases. This equipment should be fitted to the check valve.

Some Tools Used in Glass bead Making:
• Marvers
• Pliers
• Bead rake
• Parallel Press
• Optic molds
• Tweezers
• Rod rest

Glass beads are available in various colors, shapes and sizes. You can easily get wholesale beads from the market. They can be designed into beautiful jewelry like necklaces, earrings, bracelets and so on. Wholesale Beads jewelry is very much adorned by contemporary women and has become a part of fashion, till date.