Collection: Furnace Glass Cane Beads

Virginia and her husband Tony, personally make these fine quality hand blown furnace glass cane beads. These beads require much skill and experience to create. Only the finest lead free crystal is used in these beads resulting in a superior sparkle within the beads.

First molten glass at 2100 F if gathered from the furnace on a blowpipe. Next a layer of densely  coloured glass is added, then several layers of clear, molten crystal, to create the size of bead desired. Sometimes coloured glass canes or rods (made by the artists) are added to create stripes and spiralling patterns on the beads. A bubble is inserted through the blowpipe into the mass of glass. The glass is then heated and shaped many times until the shape and temperature is just right. At that point this becomes a team event when Tony and Virginia stretch the glass into tubes, (much like taffy)to the length and diameters desired. After the glass tubes are annealed they are cut into lengths then sliced into beads. The beads go through a lengthy polishing process, after which they are ready to be made into marvellous creations

These beads are very high quality furnace glass. Sizes will vary and hole sizes will also vary as all beads are handmade.