Mass Production Can 'o Worms

A superhot topic in lampwork forums is the chilling effect of mass quantities of cheaply produced lampwork beads from china being slung into the US lampwork category on eBay and thereby burying high quality beads by legitimate US studio artists. Think the "WalMart Effect" applied to lampwork artists.

ALL lampwork artists that I know do not mind legitimate competition. Most of the time you can observe for yourself if the design work on the bead is well done. We do mind when lampwork beads are misrepresented as kiln-annealed and properly cleaned when they are not. These things are important. Here are some guidelines:

A properly made bead has been kiln annealed and will not break under normal conditions, or when cleaned in hot water. Because I am a klutz, I routinely drop my beads on the cement floor of my studio from waist height. They NEVER break. If someone claims that their beads are kiln annealed, but then says not to clean these glass beads in water they are either INSANE or LYING.

A Fine Bead had smooth, dimpled end holes. Period.

A Fine Bead is well-balanced, even all around, not "wonky" or off kilter.

A Fine Bead has few or no bubbles (unless they are intended as in my "soda fizz" beads), and with no surface scum or unwanted grit or inclusions.

A Fine Bead has been cleaned properly of the bead release that is inside of the bead hole. And why is this important? Glad you asked: bead release is a silicate suspension; when dried and airborn it is a carcinogen. Reputable beadmakers carefully clean this residue from the bead the only safe way... under water so that the particles of bead release residue do not become airborn. Duh.

These obviously mass produced beads are showing up at the major bead shows and on auction sites. Buyers Beware!!