Qinyi Ma - Lampwork Bead Artist

(Interview conducted via email in September 2007)

Q: Can you please explain briefly how "lampworked" beads are made?

A: Thousands of years ago, artists in Italy used lamps to heat the glass to make beads.  "Lampwork" is a term used to describe the beads made by this process.  We now use a similar method but we use a torch instead of a lamp.  The flame from the torch can be over one thousand degrees.  You hold a steel stringer (which we call a mandrel) in your left hand and your right hand holds a glass rod, like holding a pencil.  You melt the glass rod tip over the flame and wind the molten glass on the mandrel.  You must keep rotating the mandrel.  The molten glass looks like honey and gravity makes it drop.  Rotating the mandrel will prevent the glass from dropping and finally turn it into a round bead.

The pictures show how to apply stringer on a base bead.  Normally, the glass rod is as thick as a pencil.  The stringer is pre-made by pulling the molten glass apart. 

Q: How long does a typical lentil style bead take to make

A: 10 minutes, not including clean up and annealing time.  We are very fast compared with other lampworkers!

Annealing:

When a glass bead cools down, the surface of the bead cools faster then the inside which allows pressure to remain inside.  If the bead were hit or heated, this pressure would cause the glass to break more easily.  So you 'anneal' the bead by putting it in a kiln, increasing the temperature slowly to the 'annealing point' then keep it at that temperature long enough to allow the pressure to slowly release.  Then you cool it down slowly.  The annealing process makes the bead durable and strong.  All of my beads are annealed overnight.

If you drop a smooth roundel shaped bead on the concrete floor, it will bounce up and down and won't break.  But don't try this with the beads with the bumps ;)

 
Q: Do you make every bead yourself?

A: I used to do every single bead by myself.  After I started to do the bead shows, I realized that there was too much work for one person.  So I trained workers to help me make the beads.  Now I only focus on design.

 
Q: How many people help you?

A: Totally 10.  Some of them are part time.

 
Q: Where are they located?

A: San Jose, California

Q: Why did you become a lampwork artist?

A: I love lampwork beads and I love to create something special.  It's a lot of fun to discover new techniques and to create new designs.

 
Q: Where did you learn to be a lampworker?

A: In my apartment in San Jose, California!  I pulled out the cutting board and clasped the torch to it.  At the very beginning, when I started it, the heated glass rods would easily pop out.  Those scary hot glass tips left some burn marks on the floor.  I'm lucky that I didn't burn down the apartment!

Q: How long have you been doing it?

A: It's been 5 years. I made my first bead in October 2002.

Q: When did you start selling your beads to other designers?

A: In early 2003.  After about 3 months of making beads, my beads were pretty good.  I sold some beads on EBay.

 
Q: Where do you get your ideas?

A: At the very beginning, I learned the techniques from books and videos, following their instructions.  Then I got ideas from gem stones, handbags, clothing, fabric, fashion, etc.  It's about everything I see.  One of my customers painted her nails turquoise and added gold leaf - I used the idea in my beads!

Q: How many different designs do you have in production at any one time?

A: I normally have a work plan.  Each worker works on a certain design.  We do one design at a time, which is more efficient.  Normally, we have 150+ designs we need to work on each month!

 
Q: What are your best selling colors? 

A: Pink, neutral colors, green, blue.

Q: Which design is your favorite? 

A: Japanese Kimonos - sage green with black and ivory with sterling dots (see photo).

Q: Is there anything else you would like to talk about?

A: The glass I use is Moretti, which is the same glass as Venetian beads.  Some of the special colors come from Germany.  I like high quality products; I want to share the same value with my customers.  I hope they enjoy the detail of the designs too.

I'm a self-taught lampworker.  I learned everything by reading books and watching tapes or DVDs.  Some techniques took a long time to figure out.  It's fun to be creative.  You also need lots of patience and to practice.

When the hobby turned into a serious business, it became very challenging.  I appreciate my customer's support.  They keep purchasing from me, sharing their ideas about designs and giving me suggestions about running my business.  Without their support, my small business could not have grown so fast and be so successful in such a short period.

To see a selection of jewelry made with these gorgeous beads, please visit the  Jewelry Web pages

All Lampwork Link Bracelets, Necklaces and Earrings are available in gold or silver and in all designs shown! 

Multiples available, please call (973.275.9497) or email LMD@LisaMarieDiasDesigns.com to place order.