Lampwork is the ancient art of making glass beads.  The term "lampwork" originated in the 1600's from the use of oil lamps as a heat source for glass beadmaking in France and Italy.  Today modern lampworkers use a propane-oxygen torch as their heat source. How to Make a Basic Glass Bead Supplies & Equipment: glass rods mandrels (stainless steel welding rods) bead separater- a coating on the rods that allows for bead removal torch kiln

To make a glass bead, hold a glass rod in one hand and a coated mandrel in the other.  With your torch, heat the tip of the glass rod to the consistency of honey.  Wind the molten glass around the mandrel while twirling.  This "twirling" will round out the glass and form a bead.  This bead can be decorated and shaped as long as it remains hot.  When the design is complete, the bead is put into a kiln and annealed for durability.  After your bead has cooled, remove from the rod and clean the bead hole to remove the separater.  This bead is now ready to be used in your jewelry designs.

Lampwork beads can be made into beautiful jewelry pieces.  The bracelet shown here is an Interchangeable bead bracelet where the ball end unscrews and beads are able to be changed.  This is a simple way to use lampwork beads.   Let lampwork beads spark your creativity with new and unusual designs that have an heirloom quality.