Seed Bead Origins
To begin this journey of sharing about some of the beads used at Beech Designs- we focus on glass Czech seed beads.
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| Beech, G. "A Bit About The Bead". 9.2023 |
What are seed beads?
The term seed bead are beads that are produced in a factory. Made by drawing glass, where by glass is literally drawn or pulled, with a hollow mass, into a long tube. Then goes through several more steps involving the fusion between fire, sand, soda and lime to produce glass seed beads.
One type of bead is Czech glass beads predating the Czech Republic.
A bit of history...
For our blog- speculation says the production of glass beads began in ancient Egypt and many cultures successfully adopted the practice over the centuries. Some believe glass was invented in the Middle East by ancient Jews and Hebrews, in ancient places like Babylon, Phoenicia, and gained a reputation as the best glass-makers in the world.
Glass centers were formed in principle cities for ease of trade and Venice, Italy became one such city. By the 8th century glass manufacturing had emerged in Germany, along the Rhine River. And by the 14th century King Charles invited German glass-makers to relocate to his kingdom of Bohemia to establish a glass industry.
The land offered an abundance of resources needed for glass production; rich in unlimited sources of water, quartz, sand, and trees. In these mountains small towns grew and by the 1400’s North Bohemia was the glass manufacturing center.
~Origins~
The history of Czech glass beads is thought to go as far back as the 3rd century BCE when the Celts began to produce the first glass in Bohemia, known today as the Czech Republic.
It was the Bohemian people that were the great force & source that contributed to the success of glass beads, impacting glass bead production to this day! Perfecting glass bead-making techniques that make Czech beads famous for their beauty, variety, and consistently high quality. The cottage artisans of Bohemia were the foundation of the quality standard Czech glass beads are still known for today.
By the middle of the 16th century glass workshops sprung up across the Jizera mountains, eventually dubbed “the Crystal Valley”. And from there, Czech glass makers expanded their trade, exporting glass beads globally.
It wasn’t until the 1830’s that machines began producing glass beads. The process of manufacturing the glass molds was both difficult and had to be precise.
Cottage artisans were called upon and given several molds for each bead press and turned out beads to order for their local factory, becoming masters of pressed glass they continue to remain innovative, perfecting and improving every form of bead-making.
Why we use Czech Glass Seed Beads
~Diversity: color, shape, size
~Quality: uniform hole
~Heritage: Czech tradition centuries of bead making
~Design possibilities: they are perfect for both modern designs and recreating vintage styles
*No two Czech beads are the same. And designing with materials that are similar, but not identical gives each piece created a unique one of a kind look/essence/vibe.
Finishes
Here’s a look a few bead color effect finishes.
Different bead finishes can play into many pattern design possibilities.
Czech seed beads have beautiful unparalleled symmetry and are featured throughout different stitch techniques here at Beech Designs.