How do they Put the Mushroom in the Glass Bulb on Hemp Necklaces?

Question

I have been incredibly curious as to the process, and even more curious to know if the material in which the mushroom is contained is even glass, and how, if heated up in order to put the mushroom inside of it, the heat of the glass does not burn the mushroom?

Does anybody have any knowledge on this subject?

Answer 1

I just loooove the glass mushroom beads, and I use them extensively in my work at http://phathemp.com. The process used to make these pendants is called lampworking - and the mushroom inside is actually glass as well. Lampworking is a way of making incredibly intricate and beautiful glass beads, and it's basically putting rods of glass over a fire and working them onto a metal mandrel, and then decorating as it goes. Wikipedia has a pretty extensive article on it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampworking and you could also find useful information at http://www.lampworketc.com/, although the second caters more towards experienced lampworkers.