Artist made lampwork (glass) beads are among the most expensive beads you can purchase in todays market. Their depth is extensive, styles unique and true value unmistakable from most other beads. Mass produced imported beads may be a good value for the moment, but that is about all that can be said for them. If one wanted to have a fine piece of jewelry, artist made lampwork beads are an impeccable choice. Todays handmade lampwork beads are made by winding molten glass around a stainless steel rod or mandrel that has been coated with a thin clay substance called bead release. The bead release has to be dry and well adhered on the mandrel or the glass will stick to the mandrel permanently or can break free in the process of making a bead. Melting the glass rods requires a very hot flame made from a torch that is designed to reach a temperature of at least 1200 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the type of glass used. After the right amount of glass is wound onto the mandrel and the main shape has been achieved, then decorations can be applied to the bead using chips of glass, called frit, thin lines of glass, called stringers or dots of molten glass. After a bead is decorated it can then be placed directly into the hot kiln (the most common way) or placed between two pieces of ceramic fiber blanket. The beads must go through a heating and slow cooling process called annealing. When beads or glass sculptures are allowed to cool slowly in a kiln it reduces the stress in the beads to make them more durable. Though this process is to reduce the likelihood of cracking it is not by any means a guarantee that they will never crack. After all, these are small glass objects of art that we are talking about. The more protrusions or appendages on a glass bead the more proper care needs to be taken. There are endless possibilities of decorating a bead. Today's glass and bead artists make small works of art with their highly developed bead making skills, and the final result is always a delight to the eyes. Unlike mass produced beads these beads can last several life-times.  Mass produced beads are not commonly referred to as Artist made lampwork beads or Self Representing Artist made lampwork beads and should be studied with diligence to understand what the differences and value are.  Don't be fooled by the allure of a good price over excellent value.  My father once told me something that I will remember to this day.  One can not afford to buy cheap anything.  While the price may be good... the goods rarely, if ever, outlast the value of what may be saved.