Cerca Trova Jewels

American Lampwork Beads

  Glass bead making has been practiced for more than 3,000 years throughout the world. The Venetians became the premier glass makers and kept their techniques and formulas secret by passing them down to apprentices throughout the centuries. During the middle ages the glass manufacturers of Murano were held in high esteem. Their knowledge was so valuable to the City-State of Venice that they were not allowed to leave the city.

  Towards the end of the twentieth century, American artisans began to experiment with with glass bead making. Setting up studios in their homes and working with gas torches they began a cottage industry. which is thriving today. They call their beads lampwork, a throw back to when glass was originally melted over the flame of an oil lamp. Found throughout North America, these artisans create handmade beads which are as individual as the artisans themselves.

  In my search for unique and beautiful beads I have been in contact with many of these artisans and and am impressed by their desire to create unique and very high quality lampwork beads. All of the artists I work with use a kiln to cool their beads slowly so that they harden properly and evenly and thus are durable. This process is called kiln annealing.

  In my American lampwork collection you will find some of the best American lampwork bead designers working today. I search throughout North America to find these highly prized beads, which are tiny works of art. I have named my company Cerca Trova, meaning seek and you shall find, which reflects my wonderful and fun quest for the perfect beads!

Click here to see a Lampwork Artist at work!!

For more information about lampwork beads click on the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_beadmaking