The Embroideress

I was reminded today about a visit to Murano, Italy in October some years ago.

Tourist season was over and only intrepid independent travelers were wandering the markets, the bridges, the canals and the other attractions of Venice.

I was traveling with two friends and we sent to Murano for the day by ferry. We were met at the ferry by several "guides" to various glass factories. The island has been the home of glass makers for many years and we were found by an Amican woman who came to Italy on a study program, fell in love with Italian culture and never went home. We explained that we were unlikely to buy much from her employer but she wasn't busy and said she would enjoy taking us on a short tour.

There were not any other visitors in the production so we had her undivided attention. We were able to get right in the workrooms and amongst the glass blowers as she explained the process. It was a bit dim in the huge rooms so when I felt myself walking on crunchy stuff I assumed it was sand as sand and cullet are used in the manfacture of new designs. Upon looking down however I realized I was walking on "seed beads" of every color in the rainbow with a few extra colors to boot. They twinkled and shined and walking on them was an entrancing project. She then had one of the workers show us how the beads are made by forming a coat of glass around a wire which is then plunged into cold water. The glass crackles and breaks into hundreds of rough beads. Then the beads are tumble smoothed and sent off for processing. All of the plant's production of beads was unpolished and they were sold to finishers by the manufacturer. So, none to buy in the sales shop but what a fairy experience of walking through fields of color.

Labels: bead manufacture, Beads, Murano, Venice