Beadmaking Supplies - Anything in Stained Glass

The art of beadmaking by winding molten glass around a steel mandrel is often referred to as "Lampworking". Early glass beadmakers in Venice used oil lamps as their heat source for melting the glass. Today, it's more common to use a torch that uses a mix of propane as the fuel and oxygen as an accelerant, to get a precise flame that allows you to control the heat in the glass as it melts. Mandrels are steel welding rods. The glass is wound around the mandrel. But, if you applied hot glass to them directly, the glass would stick and never come off. So, the mandrels are dipped in "Sludge", a bead release mixture with the consistency of pancake batter. The dipped mandrels are then air dried, and ready for beadmaking. After the beads are finished annealing in the kiln, the whole mandrel is put in a tub of water to soak, which loosens the sludge, and the bead can be removed from the mandrel, leaving a nice even hole.
Stainless Steel Tweezers Stainless steel tweezer with fine serrated points. # 1041-C 7" Curved Nose $ 3.79 Buy # 1043-C 4½" Curved Nose $ 3.79 Buy	Stainless Steel Tweezers 4 PieceSet Stainless steel tweezers with fine serrated points. Includes: Straight - Curved - Self Closing - Spade Point # 1044-C $ 9.95 Buy
Helping Hands with LED Light & Soldering Stand A double set of tight grip clips with an attached magnifying glass. The hands will bend and turn into any position to help with holding wire and other small pieces while you work. # 4025-C ~~$ 19.95~~ $ 16.95 Buy	Helping Hands with Magnifying Glass A double set of tight grip clips with an attached magnifying glass. The hands will bend and turn into any position to help with holding wire and other small pieces while you work. # 4030-C ~~$ 15.95~~ $ 9.95 Buy

Bead Rake Bead rake can be used to manipulate molten glass by dragging, raking, feathering, or swirling the surface. 5673 Bead Rake Only $ 4.95 Buy	Fireworks Self-Igniting Torch Designed exclusively for Fireworks, this unique torch has a self-igniting on/off button that takes the fear out of lighting your torch. A special regulator dial at the base of nozzle allows you to adjust airflow for truer, clearer and more vibrant colors. Great for beginners. Use with MAPP gas (found at most hardware stores) # 5651 $ 32.95 Buy

Bead Hole Cleaner Coated with the finest diamond abrasive for a more effective and efficient removal of bead release residue. To use, simply push the narrow diamond coated rod back and forth through the hole in your bead. # 5671 $ 3.95 Buy	Bottle Holder Attach Fireworks unique one-piece bottle holder clamps on the edge of any table and fastens down. It holds Mapp or Propane bottles securely in place without slipping or scratching while you fuse away. # 5653 $ 7.95 Buy

Bead Release Powdered releasing agent that is mixed with water to a creamy, thick consistency. Used to coat the ends of your materials to prevent glass beads from sticking to metal. Can be flamed dried or air dried. # 5675 $ 9.95 Buy