Beadshaper

Beads and Jewelry, Art and Fashion

Please visit my GALLERY for fabulous fashionable handcrafted lampwork glass beads, pendants, and wire wrap jewelry. If you would like made to order glass beads or beaded jewelry, please contact me through Guest Book

BEAD HISTORY .

History of Lampwork Glass Beads, Gemstones, and Wire Wrap Jewelery
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I would like to share with you my interest in the history of glass beads, gemstones, and jewelry. From time to time I will add a brief summary of some aspect of the subject.

THE HISTORY OF FLORAL DESIGNS

Plants have been producing flowers for millions of years as evidenced by flowers found in fossils producing natural flower designs. Prehistoric cave art usually depicted animals rather than plants. The ancient Egyptians had access to a variety of flowers because of the lush Nile river valley in which they lived. Flowers were worn as decorations and were also used to adorn their animals and chariots. The Egyptians started making glass beads with floral designs around 1200 BC. The ancient Greeks and later the Romans used flowers in their garlands and wreaths. They also further developed the art of floral design on beads and jewelry. The Byzantines later added fruit to the flowers in their wreaths. Flowers were used extensively in tapestries and rugs in the Moslem world during the Middle Ages. Floral design was found extensively in ancient Chinese and Japanese pottery to the present time. Greek and Roman art were shunned in most of Europe during the Middle Ages, but Greek and Roman flower art returned in the Renaissance period. The Venetians revived and further developed the art of flower design on glass beads and other glass art. The S shaped stem became popular in floral design during the Baroque period and has remained popular today. Floral designs became elaborate during the Victorian period. Flower arrangement continues to evolve and remains popular in our time.

Click Floral Pendants to see theBeadshaper's exciting series of floral designed lampwork glass pendants.

THE HISTORY OF COLORS

Color is important in art, beauty, and fashion. It certainly is paramount in the beauty of glass beads and jewelry. So I am now beginning a series of entries on the history of various colors. Before we start, lets talk about what color is. Colors are the way we perceive light. Black is the absence of light. All of visible light together is white. The 3 basic colors that make up white light are red, yellow, and blue. The other colors are combinations of those 3 basic colors.

As for color in glass beads, the ancient Egyptians made colored glass by mixing various metals and minerals with the glass. The art spread to Phoenicia and Mesopotamia. Colored glass became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages because of its use in making stain glass windows in churches. The art of making colored glass became particularly developed in Venice. Colored glass remains popular today in glass beads and beaded jewelry.

The Color Lavender

Lavender color refers to various shades of pale purple inspired by the color of the lavender flower. The first references to the use of lavender as a perfume and as an herb go back to ancient times. The ancient Egyptians used it in preparing mummies. The Romans used it in their baths and in cooking food. The ancient Greeks called it naardus after the Syrian city of Naardus which they considered to be its origin. The cultivation and use of lavender spread from Greece to France and from there throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. During Renaissance times, it was believed to ward off infection. During the Great Plague in London in the 1600s, people wore lavender around their wrists because they believed it would prevent the infection. It was also believed to bring romance in Renaissance times. Girls would put it in their pillows hoping it would bring a husband. Newlyweds would put it under their beds thinking it would be an aphrodesiac. In the 19th Century, it was associated with lack of maleness in men and became the color of homosexualism in middle 20th Century. Aside from its historical, emotional, and religious aspects, lavender remains a beatiful color today and often is incorporated into glass beads and jewelry.

Bead Wire Wrap History Click here to read more about the history of beads, gemstones, and wire wrap jewelry.

Bead Jewelry Poetry This is a link to poems for which some of my jewelry are named.

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