Indonesian Java Glass, Gooseberry, Teal, 8mm, 24in Strand

Indonesian Java Glass, Gooseberry, Teal, 8mm, 2-3mm Hole

This price is for one 24 inch strand

8mm strands have approx. 80 pieces

Java glass beads are handmade, often with recycled glass and produced on the island of Java, Indonesia. The term "gooseberry" refers to the internal longitudinal stripes that mimic the veins of a gooseberry fruit.

To make the beads recycled glass is melted down over high-heat burners. An artesian then gathers a mass of molten glass and applies thin strings of contrasting glass color(s) along the sides. Two artisans pull the molten mass in opposite directions, stretching it into a long, thin rod called a cane. As it stretches, the colored stripes become the fine, thread-like veins visible inside the glass.

An artisan melts the end of a glass cane and winds the molten glass around a rotating mandrel. While the glass is still glowing and soft, the artisan uses flat paddles or graphite blocks to marver (shape) the bead into a sphere or oval. To prevent the beads from cracking due to thermal shock, they are placed in a container of warm ash or a small kiln to cool slowly.

Made in Indonesia