| Original Message: Re: "Crumb" and "End-Of-The-Day" Beads |
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Hi Peter, Crumb beads and "end-of-the-day" beads are more or less the same thing. The first describes the units used as decorations. The second (generally falsely) implies the process of their manufacture. Crumb beads have random decorations. They are not planned, except for color combinations. The crumbs (that may be small, large, varied; sharp, rounded or both), can be sparse or crowded. They can be one color, two, or any mixture desired. The typical manufacture involves spreading a pile of glass crumbs, and taking a still-hot bead (on its mandrel), and rolling it across the fragments, so that they stick to the surface. The crumbs become flush from being rolled-in, and the bead further heated. If they are not rolled-in, care must be taken to prevent further amalgamation of the glasses, for raised-spot (or crumb) beads. The idea that these were made from collected leftovers, the sweepings of floors, or whatever, at the end of a manufacturing session is usually just a cute story. MANY of the beads so-described are made in large editions, and appear on sample cards. It's best to think of this as just a name, and not an indication of glassworking practices. Better to avoid the name entirely. (Nevertheless, as a small-production beadmaker, I myself have made odd beads from leftovers, at the ends of beadmaking sessions. I do not not say there is 'no such thing.' I say most beads so-described as that are NOT that.) I cannot think of any crumb beads that are "planned and consistent," in terms of their appearances. They present very random arrangements. But, as mentioned, as groups of beads, they often were made in consistent editions. I hope this helps. Jamey All rights reserved by Bead Collector Network and its users |
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