Hi Julianna,
I'm one of the two proponents who have described the a-speo processes. There are many posts here that discuss them
The Italian term literally means "on a spit" (referring to the technique)--indicating that the bead is placed on a metal mandrel of rod in-preparation for being heat-rounded. I always tell Americans that this is something like toasting marshmallows--to give a visual impression.
There are actually a variety of a-speo techniques, either performed at a furnace or a "lamp" (nowadays, a torch, but formerly a different apparatus), and using different mandrels/rods for holding beads.
The a-speo techniques became routine at Venice in the 17th C.--and it's from this time that me know the majority of such beads (made at Venice, Holland, and probably elsewhere).
From the early 20th centuries, Venetians returned to making beads similarly, working at a torch, and using pieces of drawn canes, that include striped and internally complex (rosetta) canes. I refer to these as "late a speo" beads.
Among these, the most popular and well-known editions were made using typical 4-layer (and more rarely 6-layer) star canes. Externally, many of these are green, but also typical blue star canes. The popular name for the green beads is "watermelon star beads"--because oval specimens look something like tiny watermelons. (However, many beads are more spheroidal, and many are flat tabular beads.).
Unfortunately, this whole class of beads has (mistakenly) come to be called "melon beads," even though they do not have the usual melon-form external shape. Let's avoid THAT! (This is a typical example of what happens when bead sellers adapt names without understanding the intent of the name.)
Unless I see your beads and conclude otherwise, I would guess that they are "watermelon star beads, that are correctly called "late a-speo beads" (this name having been invented and promoted by yours truly). Of course, it's also possible your beads are not derived from star canes--but are from other canes treated similarly. You'll have to tell us or show us, to be sure.
Practically no books deal with this class of beadmaking--nor do any routinely use this name. These beads were not distinguished from "hot-tumbled" (also heat-rounded) beads, until after 1982, when I instigated their investigation. Giving credit where it's due, Karlis Karklins discussed a-speo beadmaking in-print before I did--though I discussed it in various lectures for quite a few years, and in small publications, prior to his article in BEADS. Between 1982 and recent years, Karlis and I have constantly shared information, and largely agree on the history I have just summarized.
I hope this is helpful.
Jamey
Here's a post I left at Beads-L a few years ago, where I discuss late a-speo beads with floral internal patterns.
Below my text you'll find the whole thread, and you can see the beads discussed.
JDA.
Here are some watermelon star beads, offered by Africa Direct. Not quite the classic shapes, and some are flat tabular specimens.
JDA.
The link didn't take in my previous try....
JDA.
Here's a good article on glass-beadmaking, composed by Rick Sprague, that cites work Karlis and I pursued in the early 1980s. This is a PDF you can download and print--and is very useful.
I have not read it for a long time, and didn't know it was available online until just now.
JDA.
Dear Jamey,
thanks for the info - very useful! I like the marshmallow analogy (being American and a former girl scout, it resonates!).
Attached is a photo of 10 different kinds of "watermelon beads" - but they are not the green kind as depicted in the Africa Direct and Yahoo links (I also have the green kind - and love them, both the teal and the grass green). Are these also watermelon beads? Note that nos 1 and 2 have a milky white core, while no 10 has a black core.
Apologies for the dark color of the photograph - hope you can see it well enough (also it's my first time reducing the size of a photo to post, so I hope it works).
Any other info you have on these beads would be greatly appreciated.
thanks!
Julianna
Dear Jamey,
thanks for the info - very useful! I like the marshmallow analogy (being American and a former girl scout, it resonates!).
Attached is a photo of 10 different kinds of "watermelon beads" - but they are not the green kind as depicted in the Africa Direct and Yahoo links (I also have the green kind - and love them, both the teal and the grass green). Are these also watermelon beads? Note that nos 1 and 2 have a milky white core, while no 10 has a black core.
Apologies for the dark color of the photograph - hope you can see it well enough (also it's my first time reducing the size of a photo to post, so I hope it works).
Any other info you have on these beads would be greatly appreciated.
thanks!
Julianna
OK - so I clearly didn't know how to post a smaller image! I think I got it this time - let's see. . . .
Hello Julianna,
Unfortunately, your photo lacks details that would allow certain identification.
ONLY green a-speo star beads are "watermelon" beads (in my opinion).
The name is nonsensical for similar beads of other colors (such as blue and red), and meaningless for any other cane types. To just call them "melon" beads would be even worse.
But I can imagine that your beads are late a-speo beads (based on outlines and the indications of stripes).
Be well. Jamey
Dear Jamey,
don't worry - I promise never to call these beads "melon beads." :-) I see the point on watermelon beads - who ever saw a blue watermelon?
Anyway, thanks a million for the info - it's really useful.
best,
Julianna
