Murano Glass and the Italians

The age of glassworking is unknown, but it is said to pre-date the birth of Christ. The long-lived techniques spread throughout the ancient world, from Japan to North Africa. We know the techniques spread through Italy, because the Romans were known for making some significant changes to the original designs of furnaces and kilns. They were the first to add more exhaust vents and more options for side access to these kilns. They are also responsible for refining and experimenting with tools.

The Italian achieved the highest technical achievement than anyone else in the world, and in 1291, they were sent to Murano due to the fire hazards of Glasswork. Murano is located off the shore of Venice, Italy.

As Europe entered the Renaissance, a new use for glass was developed. Angelo Barovier, working in Murano, invented Crystallo, a clear soda glass in 1450 AD. There was a new need for clear durable vessels as chemical science was developing. This was the best glass for the job. The pipe glassblowing technique wasn't suitable for making these small objects. It was discovered that forcing a small narrow stream of air into a flame from an oil lamp created sufficient heat to work with the small pieces of glass. By the beginning of the fifteenth century this technique was spread throughout Europe and Lampworking was born.

Murano glassmakers monopolized quality glassmaking for centuries, developing and refining techniques of various types of glass, including, crystalline glaass, enamelled glass, glass with threads of gold, mulitcolored glass, milk glass and imitation gemstones made of glass. Now, there are more brands of glass, but everyone learned from the Italians, the Murano is still the epicenter of the most prizes glasswork around.

Today, Murano is a destination for tourist and glass and jewelry lovers, and visitors only need to take a short boat ride for a visit. The artists are still using their original techniques they developed and crafting everything from paper weights, figurines, wine stoppers, glass jewelry, and large glass sculptures. So if you take a trip to Venice, Italy, remember to visit the island of Murano. You can take a free boat ride to the island, as the glass company;s will sponsor your visit. Just be ready to be subjected to some high-pressure salesman in the showrooms. It's worth it.

Kincaidesigns' use of Italian Glass
At Kincaidesigns, we use the Moretti and Bullseye glass for the lampwork glass beads. Moretti glass is the famous Italian brands, also known as Effetre Glass. In my opinion, Moretti is the superior of any art glass I've used, followed by Bullseye glass. Between the two brands, the color palette is extensive.

The History of Lampworking and Glassblowing

When did Glassworking begin?
While the age of lampworking is unknown, it was developed well before the invention of any torch, burner, or furnace. Glassworking was rumored to have been discovered by someone accidentally dropping glass into a campfire. From there they used a "small fire" for any form of glasswork and developed small beehive shaped furnaces in the ground. These small furnaces have been recorded in many ancient civilizations and they seem to have dominated glassmaking before the birth of Christ. These glasswork techniques spread throughout the ancient world from Japan to North Africa.

The Romans were known to have used these beehive furnaces or kilns, and are responsible for making some significant changes to their design. They were the first to add more exhaust vents and more options for side access to these kilns. More tools were experimented with and refined.

Just before the birth of Christ, someone thought of using a hollow pipe to extract glass instead of glass rods. It caused a bubble of gathered glass. While glass beads were still used the old way with rods, glass blowing dominated the glass forming technique for the next thousand years. Italians achieved the highest technical achievement around the world. In 1921, the Italians were sent to Murano (An island off the mainland of Venice, Italy), due to the fire hazards of Glasswork.

As Europe entered the Renaissance, a new use for glass was developed. Angelo Barovier, working in Murano, invented Crystallo, a clear soda glass in 1450 AD. There was a new need for clear durable vessels as chemical science was developing. This was the best glass for the job. The pipe glassblowing technique wasn't suitable for making these small objects. It was discovered that forcing a small narrow stream of air into a flame from an oil lamp created sufficient heat to work with the small pieces of glass. By the beginning of the fifteenth century this technique was spread throughout Europe and Lampworking was born.

Although the tools continued to become more sophisticated, the basic material, glass, has remained essentially the same as when Crystallo invented it. This glass is commonly referred to today at Moretti Glass, or Effetre.

In 1921, a scientist from the glass factory in Corning, New York, invented a new glass more resilient when heated and cooled, called Pyrex. It was 15 percent lighter and much stronger than soda glass. However, it required a much higher and more powerful heat source to work with the glass.

It was found that adding oxygen and natural gas produced the heat and power needed for pyrex and the traditional oil lamps were replaced with new oxygen and natural gas burners which clamped to the lampworkers workbench.

Today, equipment and tools have continued to become more sophisticated and new tools are experimented, however, many of the original tools from Murano are widely used and are still the most effective.

All the glass beads at Kincaidesigns are handcrafted by the artist, Holly Kincaid, using the lampwork techniques described in this article. She then uses her handcrafted glass beads in her unique handmade jewelry designs. To shop for your own handmade glass beaded jewelry, go to the Glass Art and Handmade Jewelry Shop.

Visit www.kincaidesigns.com to shop for Unique Handmade Jewelry.

Handcrafted Glass Beads

What is lampworking and how is a glass bead created?
Glass rods are melted and wound on a mandrel using either Moretti (Effetre) or Bullseye glass, there are other brands of glass, however these are the two types of art glass used in Kincaidesigns Handmade Jewelry. This glass comes in long rods and their diameters range, not usually exceeding a quarter inch for bead making. The glass begins to move at around 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, and the glass is workable (it can be shaped or molded) at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. There are many different tools used in flameworking, usually made of stainless steel or graphite. Graphite tools are used because they don't stick to the hot glass. Stainless steel tools will stick to hot glass while in the flame or when its at it's hottest temperatures, however, they are very effective in shaping glass when properly used. Each of the glass beads are individually flameworked (torch-blown) and properly kiln-annealed overnight.

By annealing the glass beads, they are guaranteed hard as rocks, durable enough for everyday wear with long lasting heirloom quality. When a glass bead is finished, the hot bead (while still on the mandrel), is placed in a kiln heated at 960°F. The annealing process releases the stress from the glass and slowly cools the beads down to room temperature. Cooling the glass beads too quickly will cause them to crack.

All the handmade jewelry at Kincaidesigns is made using lampwork glass beads, which are handcrafted by the artist, Holly Kincaid. Also used in the handmade jewelry are Swarovski crystals, pearls, semiprecious stones, sterling silver and gold fill materials, which will be covered in posts to come.

To shop for your own unique handmade jewelry, visit www.kincaidesigns.com.

Shop for your own Glass Beads and Handmade Jewelry: Fancy Glass Beads • Glass Fish Beads • Glass Frog Beads • Glass Ladybug Beads • Glass Flower Beads • More Glass Beads... • Glass Bead Keychains • Glass Bead Wine Charms • Glass Bead Jewelry • Glass Beaded Necklaces • Glass Beaded Bracelets • Glass Beaded Earrings • Glass Bead Rings • Glass Bead Pendants • Glass Bead Bridal Jewelry • Glass Bead Seasonal Jewelry • Glass Bead Baby Jewelry • More Glass Art... • Visit the Online Jewelry Boutique...