How Czech Glass Beads Are Made - Better Beaders Episode by PotomacBeads

[@kimbain4368]

My grandfather (Dad's dad) came over on the boat in 1896 when he was a young lad. He and his relatives lived in the area of Bohemia (as it was named then) where the beads were made. I've always loved Czech glass just because they came from my grandpa's birthplace. But then to find out they actually lived in that precise area (my daughter is the family historian) makes me want to believe that my love for the beads is genetic because some of the family may have been in the business. They could have been some of the artisans working in the little huts or wherever. Could just be wishful thinking, but who knows? It's a pleasant thought. This video was great. Thanks for the interesting info!

[@sue7777]

This should give us all a greater appreciation for the beads we use. Truly amazing to see and hear your explanation of how these beautiful beads are manufactured. Thanks, Allie, for bringing this video to us.

[@loycehake7151]

Good to see you again, Sue! Where are you from?

[@Potomacbeadco]

You are so welcome!

[@JewelrybyJeanette]

I hope all the workers are getting paid fair wages. They work very hard to make these gorgeous beads! TFS!

[@natalieharrison4318]

Wow makes me appreciate Czech glass even more. My favorite. Thanks for sharing this and all of ur knowledge on these beads. I love your company and all of your products in the jewelry world.

[@Potomacbeadco]

Glad you like them!. You're welcome :)

[@sarahblair2462]

I love czech glass. I had no idea about the processes they go through. I feel a lot better about the cost now. I love your videos. keep them coming !!!

[@Potomacbeadco]

Happy to help!. Thank you for watching :)

[@danielleb.7055]

I love the better beader videos. My youngest daughter is starting to get into making bracelets and naturally I have to help. Lol. I found your video on how to finish your piece or whatever your working on. Have a great day

[@Potomacbeadco]

This makes us so HAPPY!!!!!! Thanks for helping create a little beader!!!!

[@maryzylema9699]

I would love to go hand watch how they do it. I have watched many videos but to actually watch how it's done must be a lot of fun.

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thanks for watching :)

[@sandyfroman6642]

Allie, thank you so much for this episode about how Czech glass beads are made. I had a basic idea of the process but had no idea how many steps were involved or how labor intensive the process. This was informative and fascinating!

[@Potomacbeadco]

You are so welcome!. Thank you so much :)

[@brendaboles3875]

Very informative, thank you for sharing

[@Potomacbeadco]

Glad it was helpful!. Thank you so much :)

[@donnahoefler2748]

Thank you Allie for this video. I love seeing how things are made and it amazes me what steps have to be taken to make glass anything. I have seen the glass blowers at Corning Glass Works, and glass blowers make ornaments, vases, birds you name it. Beads are very intensive to make but I love seeing how they are done. I look forward to watching more videos on bead making. Thank you again.

[@Potomacbeadco]

You are so welcome!

[@lisabruce5181]

Very interesting and informative!

[@Potomacbeadco]

Glad it was helpful!. Thanks for watching :)

[@DahliaDesignsJewelryandMore]

I loved this. Thanks so much for the information. I'll definitely check out the other videos. Once I got to visit a hand-blown glass facility here in the U.S. and got to try to do it - pretty difficult to get it right! These workers are artists in their own rights, even those operating those machines.

[@cynthiatalbott-nelson7530]

Thanks Allie, I've seen some pictures of the process but this is a great comprehensive view and description. 😯

[@Potomacbeadco]

You're so welcome!

[@karedreher2816]

You should all go to the Czech Republic and take a tour of how the beads are made, film and show us! Oh that would be so fun!!! Thanks for the video!

[@pattsheldon2479]

I've been there 3 times now, and this made me want to go again!

[@Potomacbeadco]

Great idea!!

[@patriciamorgan6545]

A few years ago, Potomac (when still called Potomac Bead Company) did a series of 5 videos about the bead making process, filmed in Czechoslovakia. Haven't checked to see if it's still available on KZbin or the new website, but I'll bet you can find it. From maybe three or four years ago. Some of the processes were so loud! Amazing what can go into the creation of just one bead!

[@natalieharrison4318]

So educational. I learned so much from all of you and your company's videos. So knowledgeable

[@Potomacbeadco]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@danareed1656]

this is an awesome video great info

[@Potomacbeadco]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you so much for watching :)

[@medicineheartds9631]

Sooo interesting 🤔. I will surely check the description box. I'd love to see more. Thanks Allie

[@Potomacbeadco]

Sure thing!😊

[@broozery]

Amazing shape and colors I love it

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thank you so much!

[@chardenner3147]

Very interesting!

[@Potomacbeadco]

Glad you think so!

[@amberscott2638]

So interesting thanks for sharing

[@Potomacbeadco]

You are so welcome.

[@francinebourgon4505]

Thank you Allie it’s true we always wonder how they are made

[@Potomacbeadco]

You're always welcome. Thank you :)

[@cyndivarnell7560]

Thank you! This answered a lot of questions I had about Czech glass beads 😁

[@Potomacbeadco]

You are so welcome!. Glad it helped.

[@natalieharrison4318]

Amazing

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thank you!

[@delilaha]

Fantastic video! I'm a lampworker with a soft spot for Czech glass (lived there for a bit in my 20s). I've been curious about all of these processes and wondering about apprenticing, etc.

[@suem.3651]

I was struck by how similar the process is to the old world way of making candy. I used to work for a candy company. They make starlight mints in a very similar fashion, pushing a sugar rod through a slicer that Infuses the mint swirls. Jelly beans and other hard candy get their color and coating by swirling in pans just like the ones you showed that smooth the beads! Fascinating video! I am 100% Czech (Bohemian) and it is on my bucket list to go there and tour a bead production plant. Do you know which companies there might offer tours? Thanks!

[@lilbrowngirlwithlocs4038]

Did you find working at a candy company fun? It sounds like an awesome job😊

[@suem.3651]

@@lilbrowngirlwithlocs4038 I To this day, It was one of my favorite places I have worked. I absolutely loved the spirit and dedication of the first generation craftspeople who carried on the traditions of their homelands in Europe.

[@lilbrowngirlwithlocs4038]

@@suem.3651 Wow!! Aww yeah that's soo cool to have an experience like that!!!!

[@phillykiki7320]

Glass powder is poured into tiny holes in a mold and inserted into a kiln to melt into the shape of the seed bead. A metal spindle is then used to create a hole in the center of the bead.

[@cindymoats8518]

Do you know how many beads are made per rod of glass? I love how things are made. Was interesting

[@Potomacbeadco]

Hi Cindy, you can watch this playlist on our Czech Glass Factory tour: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ7Zfn6MZ8h6l9E

[@jackieboyd7506]

amazing how much is involved in the manufacture of these beads. Great to know they are not mass produced and that there is cratmanship to them..and that they are not expensive when you think about it. tfs

[@Potomacbeadco]

Thank you for this comment and watching!

[@teresahopkins8697]

Is the excess glass, left over from making the bead, recycled and used again?

[@Potomacbeadco]

Yes the glass is recycled but only so many times.

[@JewelsNcrime]

I guess my question is what is the glass made of. My glass beads have a strange dirt or cement like substance within its crevices and holes. I'm curious whether these are Czech glass or possibly something else. They look very crude and primitive, I just can't figure it out. The necklace itself appears old but not antique, the beads are a translucent blue with light metallic finish/coating which may of worn away.

[@paws271]

I love your Better Beaders! This one and the other one that you do an on-site walk through are in my Favorites! Now that the world's taken a rather ugly financial 'face-plant', I wonder if/when anyone will again be able to go and see the manufacturers and their processes. Are there any new designs coming this year or next (23-24)? Anything new coming from Puca? Thank you so much for sharing these videos with us. I truly enjoy learning the how-they're-made process because it offers a vicarious connection with the workers and designers while I'm working and designing my projects.

[@Potomacbeadco]

We have not heard much about Par Puca. Though here at PotomacBeads we have new things in store coming up

[@paws271]

@@Potomacbeadco OMGoodness! I can hardly wait!! I mean, it's not like I don't already have a gazillion beads and plans and and and... LOL!!

[@lynn69jackson]

I'm lucky that because I live in Europe my precosia beads are around half of the price they cost in the US. It's crazy to think that half of the price you pay for them in America is for import duty and transport costs.

[@Potomacbeadco]

It really has become expensive and we try our best to keep cost down for our customers

[@yomama8873]

🤩🤩🤩💖💖

[@cherylshiflett4384]

That was fasct!

[@TheJDiane]

Almost interesting, but showing these actual processes would have been much better that general pictures and words. Were they too protective of their proprietary info?