ABOUT BEADMAKING AND THE ISGB

Glass beadmaking is an ancient art.  Glass beads are dated back to ancient Greece and Egypt.  Lampworking also names this art--so called because ancient artisans worked over the open flame of a lamp in order to make their glass beads.

Today, the art of glass beadmaking has experienced a renaissance.  Artists now create their work on fuel-powered torches using a mix of propane and oxygen.

The ISGB was the first and is the foremost organization to support glass beadmaking.  In the past, secrecy was the byword in the glass beadmaking community throughout Europe.  Techniques were regarded as "trade secrets" and knowledge was not shared.

The founders of the ISGB wanted to broaden the glass beadmaking horizon.  The Society of Glass Beadmakers was formed 15 years ago when this small group of beadmakers scattered through the U.S. gathered in Prescott, Arizona and chose to share their techniques with each other and those who wanted to learn the craft.

Since then, the ISGB has grown to over two-thousand members internationally, holds an annual conference called the Gathering, provides the beadmaking community with an on-line forum and quarterly print magazine, and offers continuing support in the development of techniques, professionalism, best business practices, artistic expression, and much more.

ISGB is a recognized non-profit educational organization that reaches its members and others who are interested glass beadmaking throughout the world.

More information is available at www.isgb.org.