Tag: Venetian Glass

Unveiling Murano Glass’ Hidden Power in Venice

Take a trip to Venice Glass Week and be inspired.

A look at Venice Glass Week 2026

There are places where inspiration seems to be everywhere you look.

Venice is certainly one of them.

During The Venice Glass Week, you begin to see the city a little differently.

Rather than just canals, bridges, and old buildings, you notice the glass in windows, exhibitions, workshops, and galleries.

Murano Beads appear in the hands of makers, adding a local highlight.

The 2026 edition was particularly special because it marked the 10th anniversary of The Venice Glass Week. Additionally, from September 12–20, Venice, Murano and Mestre hosted more than 200 events. These events celebrated glass through exhibitions, installations, demonstrations, workshops, talks and guided tours.

I spent some time exploring this year’s events, and as someone who is especially interested in beads, I naturally found myself looking beyond the finished pieces to the materials and techniques behind them.

And that is what I wanted to share with you.

Where the beads begin

One of my favorite sights was something that might seem fairly ordinary if you don’t work with glass.

Glass rods.

Lots and lots of glass rods.

But when you work with beads, a collection like this is anything but ordinary.

There are colors everywhere — transparent, opaque, delicate pastels, intense blues and reds.

Additionally, greens, yellows, blacks, and whites are difficult to describe, yet they are immediately recognizable once you see them.

And then there are the shapes.

Some rods are straight and orderly. Others have been bent, pulled or worked in some way before they’ve even become part of a bead.

Looking at them reminded me that a finished Venetian bead is really only the end of a much longer story.

First there is the glass.

Then there is the heat.

The tools.

The technique.

And, perhaps most importantly, the person making it.

The beauty of the workbench

I could happily spend far too much time looking at a glassmaker’s workbench.

There is something wonderful about seeing the evidence of the process rather than just the finished object.

Tools sitting where they were last used.

Small pieces of glass waiting to be incorporated into something else.

Containers full of color.

And everywhere, possibilities.

This is one of the things I love about glassmaking.

There is an incredible amount of skill involved, but there is also experimentation.

A beadmaker starts with an idea, but the glass has a say in what happens next.

The temperature changes.

The colors react.

The shape evolves.

And sometimes the little surprise that wasn’t planned becomes the best part.

Venice Glass Week: looking at glass from every direction

One of the wonderful things about Venice Glass Week is that it isn’t simply a series of exhibitions.

The program brings together exhibitions and installations with demonstrations, workshops, guided tours, talks and other events. The 2026 program stretched across Venice, Murano and Mestre.

There was plenty for anyone interested in the history of glass.

It covers 1948–1958 Murano Glass and the Venice Biennale.

Additionally, LE STANZE DEL VETRO hosted an exhibition on the period’s importance for Murano glass and the Biennale.

Nevertheless, there was also a strong focus on what is happening now.

That balance is important.

Venetian glass has an extraordinary history, but it isn’t simply something preserved in a museum.

Artists and glassmakers are continuing to experiment with it, reinterpret it and find new ways to work with an old material.

And then there are the beads

Of course, this is the part that really inspires me.

One of the 2026 events was Glass Beads from Around the World, an exhibition in Mestre featuring finalist beads from previous editions of Your Bead for Venice. The exhibition brings together work by glass bead artists from around the world who have been inspired by Venetian techniques and traditions.

Check out the finalist: https://www.yourbeadforvenice.org/finalists-2026/

I love the idea behind this.

Venetian beadmaking is a very specific tradition, rooted in a particular place and history — but its influence doesn’t stop at the edge of the Venetian lagoon.

Beadmakers around the world have learned from these techniques, adapted them and made them their own.

And that brings us to one of the projects I was especially happy to see connected with Venice Glass Week.

Your Bead for Venice

Your Bead for Venice is an international competition celebrating Venetian glass beadmaking and the artists who continue to be inspired by it.

The 2026 competition invited beadmakers around the world to submit a bead inspired by Venetian beads or Venetian glass techniques. The finalists’ work is being exhibited during Venice Glass Week.

There is something particularly nice about the idea of one bead carrying a connection to Venice.

It doesn’t have to be an exact reproduction of an historic bead.

It can be a new interpretation.

A different color combination.

A familiar technique used in a new way.

A personal response to Venetian glass.

In fact, the 2026 competition introduced a special Venetian Star prize recognizing a bead that most closely reflects traditional Venetian design, techniques and Venetian glass. The judging also considered three areas: connection with Venice, quality of the bead and technique used.

And that’s really what makes the project interesting to me.

Tradition doesn’t have to mean standing still.

Carnevale Venice 2026 – Its a Wrap!

2026 Carnevale of Venice, costumes and events

The theme for Carnevale 2026 in Venice was the Olympics, the Winter Olympics being held almost simultaneously in nearby Cortina. From the opening of the Carnevale along the Grand Canal, the costumes repeat the pageantry of the Olympics.

This year’s Carnevale has been anything but normal. Piazza San Marco has experienced high water on almost all days. Fortunately, the high tides only last for a few hours. But when these come during the planned events it makes life difficult. Imagine spending hundreds (and even into thousands) on your costume, only to have to wade in water.

I can only compare this to the marvelous experience of 2015 when we had beautiful sunny days followed by acqua alta and SNOW. Snow turns everything in Venice into a magical kingdom. But when you step onto the snow and your boots sink through into water. It does make walking (and not falling into the canal) a bit of a challenge. To remember this great Carnevale, read our old blog:

High Water, Snow and Carnevale #Venice

Here are some scenes from the 2026 Carnevale. It gives you a true impression of what happens, the beautifully dressed strolling around the Piazza and along the small streets with locals going about their daily routine and tourist dress in their carnevale costumes.

Today is the end of Carnevale and is known as Martedì Grasso (Fat Tuesday) and the presentation of La Marie ‘The Festa delle Marie‘ (Festival of the Marys) is one of Venice’s oldest traditions. Today, it serves as a central historical reenactment of the Venice Carnival. The Carnevale ends with the singing of the anthem of the Republic shown here from 2019. The Venetians sing along making it quite unforgettable.

Historical Origins (943–973 AD)

The festival originates from two intertwined traditions:

  • The Collective Wedding: In early Venice, a communal wedding for betrothed couples was held annually on January 31st (the feast of St. Mark) at the Basilica of San Pietro di Castello.
  • The Pirate Kidnapping: According to legend, in either 943 or 973 AD, Istrian or Dalmatian pirates raided the ceremony and kidnapped twelve young brides along with their dowries.
  • The Rescue: Led by Doge Pietro Candiano III, a group of Venetian citizens (specifically the cabinet makers or casselleri) pursued the pirates, killed them, and rescued the women. 

Evolution and Traditions

To commemorate the victory, the Republic instituted the “Festa delle Marie”:

  • Patronage: Every February 2nd, the state and wealthy patrician families “adopted” twelve beautiful but poor Venetian girls, providing them with magnificent clothes, jewelry, and a rich bridal dowry.
  • The Parade: The “Marie” were paraded through the city and along the Grand Canal in a triumph of costumes and boats, ending with a visit to the Church of Santa Maria Formosa.
  • “Maria de Tola”: Over time, the high costs and public disorder led authorities to replace the real girls with wooden statues (Marione). This was so unpopular that citizens threw vegetables at the figures, leading to the term “Maria de Tola” (Wooden Mary), which remains a Venetian slang term for a woman with a flat chest. 

The festival was cancelled in 1379 during the War of Chioggia (la Serenissima and Chioggia) but was officially restored in 1999. 

Marie of the Year: The festivities culminate in the election of the “Marie of the Year” (Maria dell’anno) at Teatro La Fenice, who then performs the “Flight of the Angel” in the following year’s Carnival. The Maria of 2026 is Martine Diop Bullo, an 18 year old from Mestre on the mainland. She will receive a Seguso Vetri d’Arte glass creation and, most significantly, will earn the honor of performing the “Flight of the Angel” (Il Volo dell’Angelo) from St. Mark’s Bell Tower during the 2027 Venice Carnival.

The Contest: In the modern version, twelve young Venetian women (aged 18–28) are selected to participate in a series of parades and events and the chosen Maria is presented in Piazza San Marco

Finding Inspiration: How Homo Faber Sparked Our New Venetian Bead Designs

The journey begins with a vaporetto ride to the Homo Faber exhibits in Venice, sparking inspiration for a new collection of Murano glass beads. Influenced by various artistic styles, colors, and textures, beadmakers creatively translate these ideas into unique designs that celebrate both tradition and innovation. Each bead reflects Venice’s rich craftsmanship.

It all begins with a vaporetto ride. Sometimes, the adventure starts with wading through high water just to leave the apartment. But the allure of the Homo Faber exhibits on the island of San Giorgio makes it all worthwhile. These incredible showcases of artistry spark boundless inspiration. So, off we went—with two of our beadmakers and a camera—to capture the magic.

In the world of Murano Glass, creativity is a dance between tradition and innovation, and for our studio, inspiration comes from everywhere. Our latest collection of beads owes its origin to a remarkable journey—one that started at the Homo Faber exhibit in Venice, where craftsmanship, artistry, and imagination collide.

A Visit to Homo Faber: The Spark of Creativity

Walking through the Homo Faber exhibit was like stepping into a living museum of art and tradition. Each room displayed breathtaking works from artisans around the world, from intricate textiles to finely crafted ceramics and, of course, extraordinary glassworks. What captivated us most were the colors, textures, and patterns that seemed to speak directly to the heart of Murano’s glassmaking heritage.

As we explored, we were struck by the diversity of designs—soft, ethereal hues juxtaposed with bold, geometric patterns, and textures that mimicked natural elements like woodgrain or rippling water. These visual treasures stirred something in us, and we knew instantly that these inspirations would breathe new life into our bead designs.

Our first spark of inspiration came from the mesmerizing work of artist Tuesday Riddell, who masterfully uses the Japanese lacquer technique. Her collection is nothing short of breathtaking—take a moment to explore her artistry for yourself. Tuesday Riddell

We were captivated by the striking interplay of black and gold, tones we frequently feature in our Venetian beads. Inspired by this elegant combination, our beadmakers were immediately motivated to craft new designs, bringing their own creative vision to life. Below are some of our bead maker’s first tries. I feel incredibly fortunate to have bead makers who can bring our ideas to life. I’m constantly amazed by their ability to craft entirely new and unique designs using the same tools, glass canes, and millefiori techniques that have been cherished for centuries.

From Vision to Reality: Working with Our Beadmaker

Back in the studio, they began translating these inspirations into tangible designs with the help of our incredible beadmaker. Armed with a treasure trove of photos, detailed sketches, and notes from our time at Homo Faber. They reviewed the patterns, colors, and textures that had spoken to us the most.

Designs: Abstract lines, geometric forms, and organic swirls all made their way into our sketches. Every detail was considered to ensure that the final product would not only look beautiful but also feel authentic to Murano’s legacy.

Colors: From the soft pastels of Venetian sunsets to the rich jewel tones of antique glass mosaics, we carefully selected a palette that reflected both the timelessness of Murano traditions and the bold innovation of modern design.

Textures: Many of our new beads feature layers—transparent glass over opaque bases or flecks of avventurina for sparkle and depth—echoing the intricate layering techniques we saw at the exhibit.

This collection is just the beginning as we explore new colors and expand on the inspiring themes from Homo Faber. We even had the privilege of getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the design processes of legendary houses like Cartier, Mercier, and Van Cleef & Arpels—a rare and fascinating experience that continues to fuel our creativity. A look at the sketch book reveals their process so similar to ours.

After countless hours of experimentation and collaboration, our beadmaker brought the sketches to life. The result is a collection of beads that celebrate the beauty of Murano’s craftsmanship while nodding to the innovative spirit we saw at Homo Faber. Each bead tells a story: the story of Venice, of our studio, and of the creative journey that began with a single spark of inspiration.

Whether it’s a delicate pink bead with avventurina shimmer or a bold black-and-gold design inspired by the exhibit’s contemporary installations, these beads are a testament to the power of collaboration and the endless wellspring of inspiration that is Venice.

An Invitation to Create

As we launch this collection, we’re excited to share these designs with you. We hope they inspire your own creations, just as Homo Faber inspired us. Each bead is a tiny piece of Venice—a city where artistry is woven into every canal and calle.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, we keep the traditions of Murano alive, one bead at a time.

A Tribute to my Mentor in Murano

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!

Murano – Glass Island & Italy Magazine

Murano Glass Furnace

We just wrote an article for Italy Magazine, the online magazine is a great source of news for Italy and what is going on.

You can read the entire story here:

https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/brief-history-murano-glass-told-expert

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

Basilica Beads – How they are made.

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)

400% Price Increase of Methane (Gas) is Threatening Murano Glass Furnaces

Murano Boat Stop Il Faro

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 2021

Murano Early Morning

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!

The Differences between Mouth Blown and Lathe Blown Glass

Many people think traditional mouth blowing glass is synonymous with glassblowing but that’s only a type of it. A more precise method to create glass apparatuses known as lathe blown glass has also gained the attention of many bead enthusiasts. 

And this is why here’s a complete guide by us on mouth-blown and lathe blown glass and differences between them. But before venturing into the main topic, let’s gain some knowledge about glassblowing. So here we go!

What Is Glassblowing?

  • It is a glass-forming technique where molten glass is shaped by blowing air into it through a long metal tube. More precisely, in this technique, the molten glass is inflated into a bubble with the aid of a blowpipe.
  • This method of glassblowing has been there since its development in the Middle East around 200-300 BC. Even in the 21st century, glass-blown products have retained their spot of being an essential part of everyday life. It does so by taking part in the production of numerous innovations and art forms.
  • It is said that the first glass-blown products were glass tubes, glass rods, and tiny blown bottles. These products were found dumped at a ritual bath in Jerusalem. 
  • The art of tube blowing is much more than just an experiment done by glassworkers, it is a revolutionary step that induced a change in conception and a thorough understanding of glass. A person who performs the work of blowing glass is called a glassblower.

The art of glassblowing is basically of two types. The first type is called Mouth blowing which is used globally for creating decorative and utility-based pieces. The other type is called Lathe blown and is not very common as it is mainly used for laboratory and scientific glass production.

Having proper knowledge about these methods can make you understand the process of glass-production better. So, let’s learn about these types in more detail.

What Is the Mouth Blowing Method?

  • This is the most basic and oldest method of glass design. It is also considered the original method which helps in working with the glass. 
  • In this technique, the artist places a heated and molten glass at the end of the blowpipe. This end of the blowpipe is known by many professionals as “gather”. This blowpipe is then carefully rotated and inflated. It is done while maintaining the proper temperature of the gather and incorporating air into the glass. This allows the glass to get the intended shape.
  • Now, the glass needs to be removed. An iron rod is used to free the vessel from the blowpipe. Once the process is done, the vessel is heated again and further clarifications are made to the shape and form.

Each piece of mouth-blown glass is unique due to the beautiful irregularities made by rapid heating and cooling. The mouth-blown beads are extremely alluring and are meant to give an elegant touch to its wearer.

If you need one such bead to enhance your beauty, we recommend you Venetian Bead Shop’s Blown Murano Glass Round Gold Foil as they are authentic Murano blown beads, completely hollow inside with the signature Ca’d’oro appearance. These are designed for focal beads and are also often used in Christmas ornaments or decorations.

If you want to buy something luxurious, you should go for Red Filigrana Orchid with an Orange Long Stem. These are formed by combining the flowers made of Murano Glass Red Filigrana and clear Stems of Boro. Group a couple for a beautiful display of flowers that require no watering and don’t wilt on a hot day.

What Is Lathe Blowing Glass Method?

  • This is a complex technique to make some of the most reliable, durable, and accurate pieces of scientific apparatus. The lathe glassware is found almost in every laboratory. The most important work of Lathe is to grab and rotate glass tube or rod during the glass fabrication process.
  • To create a super-efficient lathe blown glass, a glass blower commences with a molten globule of glass from a furnace and shapes it into containers and artistic objects. To make scientific apparatus, the glass blower begins with an existing piece of specialist glass equipment and modifies it into the required shape.

Differences Between Mouth Blown And Lathe Blown Glass

Application :

The decorative mouth-blown glass pieces in someone’s bedroom or living room come from a technique that requires one to take a piece of molten glass and use a glass mold or blow tube. These are used for ornamental or decorative purposes. 

While lathe blowing is a newer more precise method that is used to create sturdy lab and science glass products.

Material Used:

Compared to the normal globe of glass used in mouth blowing, lathe blowing uses a special kind of glass known as borosilicate glass.

Technique:

In case of mouth blowing glass, the artist molds the glass by blowing into the tube while rotating the glass to shape it. Depending on what the artist is creating, he may need to gather more molten glass to add to his creation. Once shaped and molded, the artist then trims the glass and removes it from the blow tube.

Now unlike mouth blowing, lathe blowing uses a machine to create and either a handheld or machine guided flame to mold the glass.

Parting Notes

Get yourself beautiful blown glassware and add a level of sophistication to your room or lab. If you wish to buy more blown Murano beads, you can browse for the same at our store. At Venetian Bead Shop, you will get a variety of options of beads that are mouth-blown using transparent Murano glass.

<p id="For more information, kindly visit our website or contact our supportive staff. We’ll get back to you in no time.

5 ways you can make use of the leftover beads

Only a bead stringer would understand how difficult it is to complete a bead work without leftovers. How many times have you added beads to your bead soup stash? You don’t want to dispose of them, but you aren’t sure what to do with them.

Did you know that with little effort you can turn leftover beads into a piece of different jewellery or craft altogether? Yeah, you wouldn’t have to tuck them away hoping that you could use them one day. 

In this article, we have compiled a list of unique crafts & pieces of jewellery that you can make with your stash of leftover beads:

#1 Make Bead Bottle Crafts 

If you have a pile of leftover beads, you should think about making Bead Bottle Crafts. But yeah, you would have to spend some time to sort the beads based on their colour. Once you are done with the sorting, get a transparent glass bottle and start pouring the beads in layers into the bottle. You can play with the thickness of each layer & colour combinations until you are left with a beautiful design.

#2 Create Ornaments

Yeah, you heard it right. Leftover beads make excellent materials for pendants, earrings & bracelets. 

Make a Pendant

Did you know that you can make excellent pendants for necklaces from leftover beads? All that you need is a headpin and a round chain nose plier.

Get a skinny head pin with a thickness that’s enough for the beads to string. Pick the beads that you want to make a pendant with and string them on to the headpin. Make sure that the bead in the bottom is fixed against the head of the pin. Using a round chain nose plier make a wire loop over the pendant. 

Make Earrings

Custom made & designed earrings from leftover beads are an excellent gift option to your friends or family. Choose the best beads from your stash and whip up a great pair in no time.

If you are into the jewellery business, you can even add these earrings as a complimentary gift with each purchase. Your customers would love it and it won’t cost you much.

Make Bracelets

Not just earrings, bracelets from leftover beads to make a piece of fabulous jewellery that you can wear. All that you need is a stretch cord, embroidery scissor, bead stopper, some glue and beading needles.

  • Cut a length of a chord that’s 4 inches more than the desired bracelet length. Fix a bead stopper 4 inches from one end of the chord.
  • String the beads from your stash onto the elastic cord. Make sure that you check the length of the bracelet. You don’t want it to be too tight or too loose. Also, ensure that the last bead you string has a hole large enough to hide a knot in your beading cord.
  • Hold the beards away from the knot and use a drop of glue to secure the knot. Use embroidery scissors to trim the end close to the knot.

Making pieces of jewellery with leftover beads is a lot easier, if you have the right tools for the job.

Get the right tools for bead projects

How to identify the right tools for bead projects?

#3 Make Some Garden & Home Décor Products 

If you haven’t thought of it, leaf over beads makes excellent home décor products. With little patience and the right tools, you can add beauty to a lot of things in your home. For instance, if you have leftover glass beads, you can make bead curtains out of it. There are a lot of tutorials that are available online. As said, all you need is patience.

Else you can also make small home décor products like beaded pots for indoor plants or beaded napkin rings. Look around, and you can see a thousand options.

  • Making a Napkin Ring

Napkin rings are an excellent home décor item. All you need is 18-gauge wire, a wire cutter, leftover beads & a plier. Cut approximately 20 inches of wire and make a small ring in one end to prevent the beads from falling. String the beads onto the wire in any pattern that you want to. Once you are done with it, make a small ring on the other end too.

Wind this beaded wire around a glue box or any cylindrical bottle and your napkin ring is ready!

  • Beaded Wind Chimes 

Wind chimes are always a thing of beauty. Did you know that you can make a beaded wind chime with some leftover beads, thread, and an old coffee container? Yeah, it’s easier than you imagined. Simply make a bead chain with leftover beads & some fishing line. It would be great if you can string some seashells, clay models or glass beads to it. 

Once you are done, secure it to a hanging pot in your garden, tree branches, windows or anywhere you choose to.

#4 Prepare a Bead Repair Kit

Finding the right spare for repair is a nightmare for bead workers. you never know when you might have to repair a broken bead from a piece of jewellery. Though spares are available in the market, you wouldn’t want to buy a whole tube or string of beads when you probably just need a few.

This is where a bead repair kit comes in handy. You can keep a few leftovers after every project in a container and label them. So that the next time you need a spare, you would know where to check for it.

#5 Donate the leftover beads or conduct workshops

If you have a lot of leftover beads, you can think about donating them to art classes or schools. Else, you can even conduct a one-day art workshop for kids who are interested in beadwork.

To Sum Up

These are some of the ideas on what to do with leftover beads. Remember that beads are highly versatile, and there is a lot you can do with them! 

You can also visit our website for more information on beads and bead crafts. 

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