What Is Lampwork?
Lampwork (also called flameworking) is the art of shaping glass in the flame of a torch. Rods of coloured glass are melted and wound onto a metal mandrel to form beads, pendants, rings and small sculptures.
The name comes from the old days when Venetian glassworkers softened glass over an oil lamp. Today artists use an oxygen-propane torch, which gives a hotter, more controllable flame.
How lampwork works
The glass — most often Italian Murano (Effetre/Moretti) glass — is heated until it glows and becomes soft like honey. The artist rotates a mandrel in the flame and lets the molten glass wrap around it, then adds colour, dots and patterns. Finished pieces are cooled slowly (annealed) in a kiln so they do not crack.
It is a calm, meditative craft: the flame, the rotation and the glowing glass pull all of your attention into the present moment. That is why many people find a lampwork session surprisingly relaxing.
What you can make
- Glass beads for bracelets and necklaces;
- rings and earrings;
- pendants and small glass flowers.
Try it yourself
The best way to understand it is to make something with your own hands. Join our glass bead making workshop in Moscow — beginners welcome, all materials included. Questions? Email info@glassbaker.art, WhatsApp or Telegram.