Bead Factory Trip to Zelezny Brod & Jabolec
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| Czech Beads
I have admired beads for a long time so imagine living in a place where the bead industry was practically born. Only one thing to do, find out more about them and their makers. Our guide Christa was born in Jablonec and is a wealth of information about glass. She was forced under commuist rule to work in a factory for many years. Christa collects buttons and has over 50,000!
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| Czech Bead Samples |
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Nikl Family Cottage |
| Our first stop was to a family owned cottage where pressed mold beads and lampwork figurines are made. Photo to the left shows a typical glass workers cottage. Notice the two chimmneys and the vent on the roof. There were four workers operating the automatic press machines. After the beads cool down they are put in a tumbler to smooth and polish. |
Our group also had the privilege of visiting Estrella, makers of imitation pearls. This was interesting to see all the steps the glass is put through to make one little pearl. We also had fun shopping at each place we visited. You can see some of our finds in the photo album along with a few items I make from the beads. I also buy hand made lampwork beads from a few American artists and make bracelets which you can see in the photo album.  |
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| Czech Republic |
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| Sion Family |
The Sion's are a husband/wife team. She makes lampwork beads and he does the flowers. The lampwork beads are the beads with the roses which I admire and buy quite often in Prague when I can find them. I was able to try my hand at making a bead. It takes a steady hand and lots of practice to make a perfect bead. I was able to make two sorry looking beads. But it was fun and I've been wanting to see how beads are made.
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