Rubino: Gold in the Glass, Uncertainty in the Supply
The beautiful pink and ruby tones of gold-based Rubino glass depend on gold as an ingredient in the glass itself. This is different from the decorative gold foil used inside many of our beads: here, gold helps create the color.
Effetre has communicated with customers by email regarding Rubino. In our efforts to obtain this glass, they will not quote a price—even when we offer to purchase an entire batch. For us and the bead makers we work with, that makes planning future production especially difficult.
Without a confirmed price and an obtainable supply of glass rods, we cannot calculate the cost of new beads or promise when a favorite Rubino design will return. The cost of gold adds another layer of uncertainty to a color that already requires specialized glassmaking knowledge.
Finished beads and glass rods from earlier batches may still be available, but those remaining supplies do not guarantee that we can replenish them. If Rubino is an essential part of your design, we recommend purchasing enough of the available beads to complete your project together.
Cadmium and Our Opaque Whites and Pinks
The color shortages also affect some of our opaque white and pink glasses. Cadmium is an essential ingredient in the traditional formulas for these many of our opaque glasses as we use it as a base over which we apply transparents and decorations.
European rules place strict controls on occupational exposure to cadmium and its compounds. These requirements affect the conditions under which manufacturers handle those ingredients during production. They do not amount to a blanket ban on every opaque glass color.
For our bead makers, the difficulty begins with obtaining the glass rods they need. When a familiar opaque white or pink is unavailable, it can affect an entire design—from the white base beneath a floral heart to the soft pink petals decorating a bead.
Changing a traditional glass formula is more complicated than mixing a new shade of paint. A replacement must produce the desired appearance and work successfully with the other glasses used in the bead. Even when an alternative becomes available, we cannot assume it will match earlier batches exactly.
Together with the uncertainty surrounding gold-based Rubino, these shortages limit which beads our artisans can make and which colors we can restock.
We continue working directly with our Venetian and Murano bead makers to find available materials and beautiful alternatives. We know these colors are special to our customers—they are special to us, too.
Fall/Winter 2026 Jewelry Colors: A Murano Glass Bead Guide
Each season brings new color inspiration, and Fall/Winter 2026–2027 offers a beautiful combination of expressive brights, rich earth tones, and calming shades inspired by nature. This year, we are particularly excited about the striking contrast between vibrant hues and the grounding tones that reflect the changing landscape during these months. In this blog, we explore ten leading colors from the season’s fashion forecast and interpret them through authentic Venetian and Murano glass beads, emphasizing the unique craftsmanship that goes into each piece. For each color, we have selected handmade beads that capture its character—not as exact standardized color matches, but as artistic interpretations brought to life through transparent and opaque Murano glass, 24-karat gold foil, sterling silver foil, and traditional Venetian glassmaking techniques. The interplay of these materials not only enhances the colors but also adds depth and texture, making them truly stand out. Click any featured bead photograph to visit its product page, learn more about the inspiration behind each selection, and shop the color for your next jewelry design, ensuring that your creations are as vibrant and dynamic as the season itself.
Taupe and topaz create a warm, versatile color story inspired by natural stone, amber light and the softly weathered architecture of Venice. Taupe provides a calm, earthy neutral, while transparent topaz adds golden-brown depth and warmth. In Murano glass, these colors pair beautifully with 24kt gold foil, avventurina, ivory, chocolate brown and rich autumn reds.
Rooted in nature yet distinctly modern, Burnt Olive, Green Envy, and Acacia create a sophisticated progression of greens for Fall 2026. Burnt Olive brings an earthy, grounded depth with its muted olive undertones, while Green Envy introduces a fresher, more energetic yellow-green. Acacia completes the palette with a bright, luminous chartreuse that adds an unexpected spark. Together, these shades move beautifully from subdued and organic to vivid and contemporary, making them especially striking when translated into Murano Glass, where transparent color, gold foil, and avventurina can add even greater depth and brilliance.
Vibrant yet beautifully feminine, Festival Fuchsia and Foxglove bring warmth and energy to the Fall 2026 palette. Festival Fuchsia is bold, saturated, and exuberant—a rich jewel-like pink that immediately commands attention. Foxglove softens the story with a dusty, romantic rose pink that feels elegant and refined. Together, they create a wonderful balance of dramatic color and gentle sophistication, especially beautiful in Murano Glass where transparent pinks, gold foil, silver foil, and delicate Fiorato details can bring these shades to life.
These Murano Glass beads are just a few examples of how you can bring the colors of Fall 2026 into your jewelry designs. Use them as inspiration rather than rules—mix the season’s rich earth tones, sophisticated greens, vibrant pinks, ocean-inspired blues and warm neutrals with beads you already love. Add the shimmer of 24kt gold foil, sterling silver foil or avventurina, introduce the delicate flowers of Fiorato and Millefiori, or combine transparent and opaque glass for greater depth and contrast. With thousands of colors, shapes and styles of authentic Murano Glass to choose from, the possibilities extend far beyond the examples shown here. Choose the colors that speak to you, experiment with unexpected combinations, and make the Fall 2026 palette entirely your own.
Empowering Creativity: How Small Businesses in Vertical Markets Support Artists and Strengthen Communities
Authentic artistry risks being overshadowed by large-scale corporations and unseen online, dwarfed by the Amazons, the Googles and visibility certain only by the dollars spent. And online stores such as Temu aggressively use the terms “Murano Glass” with impunity, even going so far as to use “VenetianBeadShop” in their Google Ads. Yet, nestled within the fabric of local economies lies a powerful force that keeps creativity, craftsmanship, and culture alive — small businesses dedicated to this market focused on artists.
A vertical market—one that specializes in serving a niche industry—offers unique opportunities for artisans to thrive. Whether it’s handcrafted jewelry, bespoke furniture, ceramics, or glass art, these specialized businesses act as a vital bridge between independent artists and customers who value authenticity, quality, and tradition.
How Vertical Market Small Businesses Champion Artists
Venice inspires art just from the everyday scenes enhanced by light and water.
Unlike generic retail giants, small businesses operating within a vertical market understand the nuances of the craft they represent. They don’t just sell products-they curate stories, preserve heritage, and foster relationships with artisans. As we say here at VenetianBeadShop, we don’t sell beads, we sell Romance, the Romance of Venice. We sell history, the history of glass making first in Venice and then moved to Murano.
Direct Support to Artists We work closely with individual artists, offering fair compensation, consistent large orders, and exposure that artists struggle to secure on their own. This partnership allows artists to focus on what they do best, creating without being overwhelmed by the challenges of marketing, logistics, or international sales.
Preserving Traditional Craftsmanship Murano glassmaking is rooted in centuries-old traditions. Vertical market businesses ensure these art forms continue to flourish by providing sustainable demand and educating consumers about the value behind each handmade piece. VenetianBeadShop provides DIY projects complete with printable instructions to aid our customers in this craft.
Platform for Unique, Handcrafted Goods In a world saturated with identical, mass-produced items, vertical market businesses highlight the beauty of one-of-a-kind creations. They help customers appreciate that behind every product is a human story – a skilled artist, a cultural tradition, and hours of dedicated craftsmanship. We have been online since 1998 first as Global Gift Shop on Yahoo Stores and then as VenetianBeadShop.com. We have participated in countless shows across the US, in New York, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Tucson, Las Vegas, Milwaukee and more. The quality of our beads and jewelry shine brightly in shows against mass produced items and shows convert to life-time customers.
Strengthening Communities Through Art
Basi Beads featuring 24k Gold Foil with tiny hand painted flowers and slices of Millefiori
The impact of supporting artists extends far beyond the individual creator. Small businesses focused on artisan markets play a crucial role in enriching local and global communities:
Economic Impact By sourcing directly from artists, these businesses keep money flowing into local economies—whether that’s a glassblower in Murano, a painter in New Mexico, or a ceramicist in North Carolina. This fosters economic resilience and creates a ripple effect of opportunity within artisan communities.
Cultural Exchange & Preservation Every handcrafted item carries cultural significance. Small businesses serve as custodians of these traditions, introducing customers to global artistry while helping preserve endangered crafts for future generations.
Our Role: Bridging Artistry and Appreciation
At VenetianBeadShop we are proud to be part of this vertical market that champions artists and uplifts communities. We don’t see ourselves merely as retailers we are partners in creativity, advocates for tradition, and storytellers for the artisans we work with. We create new beads inspired by artist, such as Klimt, Monet, or the amazing Palazzo along the Grand Canal such as Ca’d’Oro whose façade was covered in real gold. We use 24kt Gold Foil and .925 Sterling Silver to enhance our beads.
By connecting customers to authentic, handcrafted pieces, we ensure that:
Artists are able to make a living doing what they love. Many of our artists are 2nd and 3rd generation.
Customers experience the joy of owning something truly unique and meaningful.
Communities — both local and international — benefit from sustainable, culturally rich commerce.
Why It Matters
In supporting small businesses like ours, customers aren’t just making a purchase — they’re making a difference. They’re voting for craftsmanship over mass production, tradition over trend, and human connection over corporate anonymity.
As we continue to grow within our niche, we remain committed to empowering artists, preserving heritage, and enriching communities through the beauty of handmade art.
Together, we can ensure that creativity continues to flourish — one piece at a time.
How VenetianBeadShop, Murano Artisans, and Small Businesses Create a Community of Creativity
In a world dominated by mass production and corporate giants, the true value of handmade artistry can sometimes be overlooked. But at VenetianBeadShop, we believe in something far more meaningful — a business built on collaboration, craftsmanship, and community.
As a small business operating in the vertical market of artisan-made products, we proudly work hand-in-hand with our talented bead makers in Murano and Venice, supporting not only centuries-old traditions but also the families and futures of the artisans behind every bead.
Supporting Artisans: More Than Just Business – It’s Family
Our relationship with Murano’s glassmakers goes beyond transactions — it’s a partnership rooted in respect and mutual success. Each bead we offer is a testament to the skill passed down through generations of Venetian artisans. But behind the shimmering glass and intricate designs lies something even more important: …People.
By collaborating directly with our bead makers, we help sustain numerous families. Every order placed contributes to everyday life in Venice — from sending children to school, buying birthday presents, to ensuring these artisans can continue doing what they love. It’s not just about preserving a craft; it’s about enriching lives and keeping vibrant communities thriving on the islands of Murano and Venice.
Empowering Our Customers: Creativity That Pays Forward
The beauty of this vertical market is how far its impact reaches. Once these exquisite, handmade beads arrive at VenetianBeadShop, they begin a new journey — into the hands of our customers, who transform them into unique pieces of jewelry.
Our customers — many of whom are independent artists, hobbyists, or small business owners themselves — take these authentic Murano Glass beads and create jewelry that tells a story. Whether they’re selling at local craft fairs, boutiques, or online shops, they’re turning creativity into opportunity.
For many, this isn’t just a passion project. The jewelry they craft and sell might:
Pay for their child’s dance lessons.
Cover the cost of baseball camp.
Help with family expenses or fund a well-deserved vacation.
Or simply bring the satisfaction of turning artistry into income.
It’s a win-win, all the way through the market — from the glass furnaces of Murano to craft tables across the world.
Spreading Joy Through Handmade Beauty
The impact doesn’t stop there. Each piece of handmade jewelry our customers create carries forward the legacy of Murano artistry. When someone buys or receives that jewelry as a gift, they’re not just getting a beautiful accessory – they’re receiving a piece of history, tradition, and heartfelt craftsmanship.
Gold Foil, Silver Foil and White Gold Foil Round Murano Glass Beads
It’s this chain – from artisan, to small business, to creator, to customer – that makes what we do at VenetianBeadShop so special.
Why Markets Like Ours Matter
Large corporations may dominate the headlines, but it’s small businesses within niche vertical markets that fuel creativity, preserve culture, and foster community connections. At VenetianBeadShop, we’re proud to be part of this ecosystem:
We support artisans and keep traditional crafts alive.
We empower creators to build businesses and express themselves through handmade jewelry.
We help spread joy and beauty to those who wear or gift these creations.
Every bead has a story. Every piece of jewelry continues that story. And every purchase supports real people — from Venetian artisans to families in communities across the globe. As we say here at VenetianBeadShop, we don’t sell beads, we sell romance, we sell history, we sell creativity.
Together, We Keep Artistry Alive
When you choose to buy from a small business like VenetianBeadShop, you’re not just buying a product — you’re investing in a network of creativity and human connection.
You’re helping a Murano glassmaker keep his furnace burning. You’re giving a jewelry maker the tools to grow her craft business. You’re bringing joy to someone who cherishes a handmade gift.
That’s the power of supporting artisan vertical markets. It’s a beautiful cycle — one we’re honored to be part of, and one that continues to thrive thanks to customers who believe in the value of handmade.
Let’s keep this chain of creativity, community, and craftsmanship strong — one bead at a time.
Giorgio Giuma Maestro of Murano in Sculptures and Wax Cating
Giorgio is not a glass artist in the traditional sense, though he possesses the ability to make ordinary vases, animals and figurines you find all over Murano. Giorgio’s talent lies in making the extraordinary. In his vision, Cinderella doesn’t have only glass shoes, but Cinderella has a Glass Castle and he boasts an entirely glass Greek Temple. He works both traditionally (with the blow pipe) for his animals, dragons and chandeliers.
He uses lost was casting for a variety of pieces of art. Lost wax kiln casting is a versatile method for making glass pieces in almost any form imaginable. The process involves creating a refractory mold around a wax model. The wax is then removed—or “lost”—creating a cavity. Glass is cast into the cavity, resulting in a fully sculptural finished piece.
His work shop covers a rambling acreage on the island of Serenella in the Murano islands bringing his ideas to life away from the busy tourist paths of Murano. It also includes fruit trees and bees. Inside, the workshop is a glimpse into the mind of a true artist. He is a large, gentle Muranese who speaks in a soft voice and loves discussing his art. He is not involved in the “tourist” furnaces and works in the background. He creates glass pieces for the who’s who of fashion and is the go-to for large pieces like this.
The Greek Temple is about 5 feet tall. In the forefront, you can see other projects evolving. The flowers are pieces of a chandelier, while the blue mold appears to be a soccer field.
His lost wax casting is used in the creating of glass Red Square. Here you can see the evolution of his creation with the small version and to the right the wax for the casting of Red Square, Moscow. Behind on the shelves are previous projects and ideas for the future.
And yes, the cluttered background is typical of all production furnaces. 50+ years of tools and moulds are on the shelves. The knowledge of how to make the glass is in his head. The ingredients are seen here in the sleds of sand and soda. And at one point, he takes a blow pipe to one of the furnaces and shows me his pride, his incredible red – a blood red!
The furnace stays on 24/7 to maintain the glass at the correct temperature. Pots of colors are in the smaller furnace door.
The fixtures on the left are annealing ovens. The number of them gives you an idea of the number of workers Giuma had in the past as does the quantity of blow pipes surrounding the furnace. Blow pipes are used to make hollow glass articles like vases, bowls and bottles. While the Pontil (Punt, Punty Rod) is a long rod used when sculpting animals and also to transfer a blown piece to the annealing oven. Some of the items made on the end of the punty are shown
I am always in awe of the artistry of the Murano Glass Maestri, their imagination, their ability to turn an idea into a sculpture, a castle makes you believe in magic! And Giuma makes the magic come to life!
For more of his work and his unique story, visit his website Giorgio Giuma
He was unbendable, determined, hard-headed and above all a family man. His love of glass was only surpassed by his love for Valeria, his wife.
We met in San Francisco in the 90s through the Italian Trade Commission which sponsored a group of 20 or so furnaces from Murano who came to a small trade show. We were already importing Murano Glass, but this was an opportunity to meet more glass artists. We loved what we saw, bought all their samples and invited the entire group to dinner in San Francisco to show them a little of “our” city. That night we closed the Buena Vista but not before our friends had sung their favorite Venetian songs in dialect and sealed a friendship that endured. And as luck would have it, he was President of the Association that promoted the glass in Murano. He introduced us to other furnaces, the famous MACEF show in Milano, bead makers, shipping experts and tools designers.
So for about 20 years our number one restaurant was at his house in Murano with our families around the table (no matter how many we were there was always room) and his wife Valeria cooking. And oh my she could cook. In the summer there was a small cottage out back to escape the heat and a grill fish because when you live on an island, you eat fish!
Franco was born in Murano in the years between World War I and II and began working in the furnace as a young boy, never finishing school. After World War II, with so many of the men lost, he had to work to help support his family. This was the experience of so many during this period.
He met his wife Valeria when she was 13 (she was from a different parish in Murano) and they were engaged for years as he refused to marry until he bought a house for her and owned his own furnace. They both worked, he in furnaces and she in furnace that made smalti (mosaic) tiles. They saved their money. His determination and single focus never swayed. He was controversial, opinionated and his fellow furnace owners and bead makers lined up either loving or loathing him.
Either way, my political capital on the island went up when I walked home with him for lunch, or attended official Venetian functions with him, because Valeria had long tired of these events (and I absolutely drank in every moment of being surrounded by glass blowers). No one doubted my seriousness as a buyer when they saw us together. In those days, it was difficult for an American to establish a bank account. But not if your friend was on the Board of Directors of the local bank.
He schooled me in glass, in the politics of the island and in family life in Murano. As the “reigning” head of the glass workers, he was the Solomon to whom everyone brought their grievances. I have listened as he reasoned with drunken husbands, unhappy spouses, mis-understandings between local companies, unpaid debts and perceived wrong doings. And yet, when it was over, he never said a word, never repeated a accusation.
He never stepped foot in a bar on the island (except for the restaurant he owned with his children). But he enjoyed a good bottle of Valpolicella and great grappa, which we drank every night for good health. I can attest to its value to a cough or cold.
When I studied glass blowing in the US, he was the first to invite me (a woman) to work in his furnace, schooling me in the ways of the furnace and the Muranese terminology. His generosity in sharing the workings of a furnace, from putting the ingredients in the pot, to making zanfirico was a privilege few people outside of Venice ever have. When we traveled as we did every August when he and Valeria visited with us in California. We stopped at every glass shop, gazed at every chandelier – and the talk was always glass. And everywhere we went, the glassblowers were thrilled to meet him and asked him to blow glass with them and nothing could have made him happier.
He dearly loved to drive (a special treat for someone living on an island where there are NO cars) with his Mercedes parked at the airport in Venice, we traveled the back roads of the Veneto. He loved showing us “his” Italy. He introduced us to his friends, we spent weekends exploring the Alta Adige, Asiago staying in their cabin or staying with friends on their farms, picking cherries, playing cards and eating the fresh pasta that had laid on the dining room table of the farm house the day before to dry.
In the US he absolutely loved driving on our freeways – it’s how I learned so much Muranese (the local dialect) as it became important to be able to get the point across quickly and accurately. He spend several August vacations with us and we toured the California, Nevada and the southwest, and in the Christmas holidays, we explored Hawaii and Florida. We celebrated New Years in Las Vegas at the Venetian, of course where he was distraught to learn not one of the gondolieri spoke Italian.
He was world traveled, an avid reader with an insatiable appetite for knowledge. And despite his limited formal education he was knowledgeable in politics, history, art and, of course, glass. He was responsible for the installation of a furnace in the Venetian Casino in Macau demonstrating the techniques of glass blowing.
He was President of the Abate Zanetti (school of glass) in Murano. He created a course to accommodate locals who needed to work and could only attend in the mornings. He was my entry to all of Murano, walking home with his from the furnace gave me instant credibility. We called him the Godfather of Murano as he settled arguments, dealt with family crises and above all promoted Murano Glass.
But he was also stubborn, we argued over dinner, over the phone and around the world together. Rarely did I win an argument-usually only when his wife, Valeria interceded!
It is an online magazine that you can subscribe to for free and enjoy stories of all the regions of Italy, places to visit, history of the area. And for me above all are the beautiful photographs.
And read Brenda’s article on her view of the history of Murano and the issues of today. Visit our website to browse our Murano Glass Home Decor
Watching these guys makes it look like play. Watch as they make authentic mouthblown Murano Glasses. Glass blowing is teamwork, the Maestro (the one who sits at the bench) and his servente, basically anyone not sitting at the bench. In more complicated pieces there may be 4 or 5 who comprise the Piasa, in dialect or Piazza in italian. Watching a Piazza in action is like watching a ballet, just with glass heated to about 1900 Fahrenheit being swung around.
Father and son work on this team in a classic family business in Murano. The father owned his own furnaces until he retired and the son was a Maestro at some of the most well known furnaces in Murano. Additionally, they make some of our most beautiful beads. As you see them here working they do not have a traditional furnace, they work with Cotisso (shown below) which is chunks of glass which have been premade and they just need to melt it in order to blow the glass. The chunks are bought from the same Murano furnace that makes canes for our beads. It just saves a step in the process.
Their years in the furnace making vases, wine glasses, animals, all the things in the furnace have given them the experience to make even our small beads. We all love their outside spirals beads shown below. They are the specialty of the son. His work in the Venini furnace taught him all about control of the glass. They are so perfect they look like a machine made them.
When we were working with our bead maker, we made this short video. It gives you some idea of the steps involved in making a complicated bead like this. But even before she sits down to turn on the “canello” the torch used in Murano, she has already assembled the fragments of mosaic canes, color fragments and the 24kt gold foil used on the bead. And she has preheated these fragments so they do not shock the base bead when they are attached. The slices of millefiori are added individually. The tool attached to the cane in the beginning is just a way to use even the short pieces of cane. The tools used to create the shape are made by a tool maker in Murano who is following in his father’s footsteps and without whom, we would be lost.
Making our Basilica Murano Glass Beads
Why are they called Basilica? If you have ever been to Piazza San Marco just looking at the mosaics above the huge doors will give you a clue. And once you enter into the Basilica San Marco, taking a look at the incredible gold and mosaic work on the domes you can definitely see the similarities.
Basilica San Marco with over 8,000 of Meters of Mosaics
The gold is exterior on these fabulous beads and the colors are perfect for the summer season. We made a bracelet with the blues and the design instructions are free.
You can find the instructions on the link to the photos as well as below on that page, you can order the beads. Here are a couple other examples of jewelry (design available on our website, just click on the photo).
Gold and Multi Mosaics Basilica Bracelet
And this over-the-top necklace in Aqua is equally as easy to make.
Aqua Basilica Necklace (Click on Photo for Design Instructions)
The latest crisis facing Murano furnaces is the exorbitant increase in Methane prices. Methane is the gas used to melt the sand into glass in most of the furnaces in Murano. It is piped under the lagoon directly to Murano.
The latest is a double whammy occurring on the tails of the shut-down for COVID. During 2019, 3+ months of complete lock-down where residents were only allowed outside their house for essential services, grocery shopping, visits to the doctor or the pharmacy. No workers were allowed inside the furnaces. During this time we were fortunate to have a few bead makers who work from their home and could continue making beads.
Tourism died as travel to Italy was not allowed. In fact it was only in the summer of 2021 that US residents were welcomed and then only those vaccinated and with negative Covid tests. Tourist from other reciprocal countries in the European Union were allowed earlier as was the travel between regions in Italy.
But Murano doesn’t receive a lot of money from the Italian tourist, for the most part, the Italian tourist is just on a day outing, perhaps buying lunch at a restaurant, but rarely large works of glass art. The same is true from EU tourist who arrive in the summer holidays with their families, often camping at Jesolo, across the lagoon spending much of their time on the sunny beaches.
Delivery Boat Murano
The tourist who are apt to purchase at the “glass factories” arrived in the past on tours by large tour companies, like Trafalgar, or other organized tours which included visits to various furnaces, especially a tourist furnace on the Island of Giudecca where the tourist were shuttled by boat from Tronchetto directly there. Tourist were also sent by hotels to specific furnaces where the furnace agreed to pay a fee for delivery. This so-called free taxi to Murano often backfired on tourist who didn’t get the point that in return for delivering them to the furnaces, the furnaces expected them to purchase (and not 10 Euro items). So sometimes these tourist found themselves learning public transportation to return to Venice.
Murano
Just as the furnaces were seeing an increase in tourist and sales, the news of the increase in gas prices has skyrocketed, from 0.23 cents to 0.90. A surge of 400%. Consider that the furnaces burn 24 hours a day otherwise the costly crucible inside the ovens will break a broken crucible cost about $2,300 US.
A medium-size glassblowing business consumes ~12,000 cubic meters (420,000 cubic feet) of methane a month to keep seven furnaces glowing at temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,800 degrees Fahrenheit) 24 hours a day.
Monthly bills normally range from 11,000 to 13,000 euros ($12,700 to $15,000) a month, on a fixed-price contract that expired on Sept. 30, 2021. Now exposed to market volatility, an increase is projected in methane costs to 60,000 euros ($70,000).
And even those furnaces who are lucky enough to have volume orders from shops, markets abroad are now facing a certain loss on orders they are working to fill as they have already negotiated prices for the orders and those prices did not include this unexpected increase.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT OUR BEADS?
Unfortunately, this increase in gas prices will manifest itself two ways in our beads. First, the furnace that produces all the glass canes our bead makers uses volumes of gas to keep its furnace glowing with each batch of just one color being about 250 Kilo (~500 Pounds). This furnace provides glass canes to the world. More importantly, it provides all the canes to our bead makers.
The Second Increase
Then, the torches (canello) that the bead makers use all are powered by gas. So they too are experiencing a huge increase each time they replace their cylinders of gas.
Tanks of Gas being delivered in Murano
The Confartigianto, the artisan association has pleaded to government in Rome to assist in negotiating better rates with the alternative that an artist craft active in Murano since 1291 will be in peril. Even now, furnaces are being leveled and hotels rising up. One of the latest to fall to the hotel industry is the old factory of Moretti along Fondamenta Manin just down from the boat stop Colonna. Profits are good for the hotels (not necessarily the workers and certainly not for the population of Murano) and they do provide some jobs and create some tax income for the Italian government. The downside of all this is that once the furnaces close it will be virtually impossible for the island to continue to maintain its place in the world of glass. As of now, already 7 more furnaces have closed.
Bead Making Torch Murano Glass Beads
Murano holds a treasure of artisans, world class glass blowers whose names remain unknown because they just go to work each day and blow glass. They do not think of themselves as artist but they are responsible for the largest part of the glass sold. Murano is a legend in our world of glass – since 1291. I hope that the Italian Government comes to the aid of the furnaces in Murano otherwise Italy will be losing the history of Venice and Murano. Along with one of the reasons that tourist come to Venice.
Venice Glass Week of 2021 was exciting but exhausting. There were so many exhibits, workshops that it would take a month to enjoy them all. There were exhibits not only in Venice, Murano and Giudecca but also in Mestre, the town before the bridge. In all, between open studios, gallery exhibits and events there were 132 listed.
The week also collided with the Venice Film Festival and the inauguration of the Rialto Bridge after its restoration which was paid for by Renzo Rosso (the head of Diesel and OTB – Only The Brave Foundation) .Rosso invited Andrea Boccelli to sing. The city was bursting with energy and the first cruise ship of the year also arrived.
The historic REGATA STORICA was held on 5 September. It commemorates the welcome of Caterina Cornaro in 1489, the wife of the King of Cyprus, who renounced her throne in favour of Venice.
My favorite event of the Venice Glass Week, and every year, is the Boca del Fuoco, a 5K run, in my case walk, around Murano beginning and ending at the beautiful San Donato Church. The 5K winds through the darken streets of Murano and through working glass furnaces. We were 550 people this year, everyone in masks of course, just not the fun ones of Carnevale. The kids were a favorite of the glass blowers who loved explaining how to blow glass to the kids.
View from the Bridge (named for Toffolo an actor born in Murano)
Our starting line was just outside the church on the fondamenta. We all received shirts with our route (you just needed someone to read as it was on the back). First over the bridge and to the EffetreMurano, the furnace that make the canes everyone uses to make beads, the cotise (the chunks that some furnaces use) and of course the millefiori.
Candles lit the way for us and the running team had enlisted the help of the youngsters with lighted torches to direct the traffic. The run is a benefit for the Venice Runners, a local group.
Walkway with Candles – Note the tiny Moon just behind the bell tower
There was music in every furnace, but for those of you who blow glass, you know this. The maestro (who ever is in charge) gets to choose the music, but it is always blaring. It has to be loud for you to hear over the noise of the furnace. You can see on the marvering table a tiny horse that was made for the kids. Nothing serious tonight, just fun.
In the photo below, we are at the EffetreMoretti (now known as Effetre Murano) and the guys are demonstrating how to make zanfirico a cane we use in our beads with a twisted design inside the transparent canes. Bead makers sometimes pull their own canes, but here it is industrial, pulled 15-20 feet long.
Pulling Zanfirico Canes
It is pretty clear that furnaces are not glamorous, they are hot and dangerous.
Tagliapietra Furnace near Il Faro
Take a look below at the beautiful vases. The glass blower is making a fazzoletto, a handkerchief vase, named because it looks like someone holding a handkerchief.
Making a fazzoletto vase
After we ran/walked the 5K, we returned to the garden behind the San Donato church where these dedicated group had prepared food for 550 people. We ate pasta and fried fish and vegetables. The end to another great Venice Glass Week, even if I didn’t win the raffle.
Our brave Chiefs – Thank you! and See you next year!
