Glass beadmaking is a two-handed activity. I use colored glass rods from Italy, simple hand tools and an oxygen/propane torch.
The rods, held in one hand, are melted in the 1800 degree(F) flame. The flowing glass is then wound onto a thin metal rod, or mandrel, held in my other hand. The molten glass, similar in color and consistency to thick honey, forms a sphere as it is rotated on the mandrel.
After I have formed a basic round bead, I decorate and shape it. The finished bead is then annealed, cooled slowly, for four to six hours to relieve stress and prevent cracking, then gently removed from the mandrel. I use glass threads, silver leaf and enamels to decorate the beads.
A small, plain bead can be made in about five minutes; a larger, focal bead takes 30-40 minutes of concentrated work.