The Beauty of Czech Glass Beads

When I first started beading, way back when, it was a very different world than it is today. There was no internet or bead shows to easily track down unique beads, and the selection of Czech glass beads – at least from what I was finding - was limited to 3mm, 4mm, and 6mm round fire polished in the most basic of basic colors: ruby, emerald, amber, sapphire, and crystal.

While those beads where pretty in
their own way, they don’t hold a
candle to the stunning beauties
that are coming out of the Czech
Republic today! The finishes,
shapes, and colors are amazing,
and just when I think these beads
can’t get any more gorgeous, they
do! Not only have the fire polished
round and rondelle beads become
incredibly sophisticated, but there
are now many beads that are being
made using vintage molds.

 

I admit it: I am totally addicted to these vintage mold beads…I can’t have enough of them, and my stash is steadily growing out of control (is that really a BAD thing? I don’t think so!). The colors, the finishes, the textures…we are very lucky that someone decided to dust off these antique molds, and artists in the Czech Republic are designing these amazing new beads with an old-time feel.

It is definitely a very good time to be a beader!

~Amy