Lampworking is an ancient art which enjoyed a resurgence in the USA around 30 years ago and more recently in the UK.
Modern UK lampworkers use a dual fual propane/oxygen torch or a "hothead" which is a single fuel torch to heat the glass. Each bead is a little work of art and goes through various stages before it can be used.
The beads start out life as glass rods usually from "soft" Italian glass factories such Effetre and Vetrofond but also from Germany (Lauscha and Reichenbach) and the USA(Double Helix).
The rod is heated in the flame and wound around a steel mandrel to form the bead. The size and intensity of flame can be adjusted depending on the glass used and the size of the bead being made.
A bead is born ! Once the bead is nice and round (or whatever other shape takes your fancy) it can be cooled slowly. Once the bead is cooled it can be removed from the mandrel and placed in the kiln.
The beads are heated in the kiln and then cooled slowly to remove stresses in the glass. This makes the beads extremely durable. The beads are then cleaned of the powdery bead release inside the hole (which prevented the glass sticking forever to the mandrel). The beads are now ready to use.
The beads start out life as glass rods usually from "soft" Italian glass factories such Effetre and Vetrofond but also from Germany (Lauscha and Reichenbach) and the USA(Double Helix). 
The rod is heated in the flame and wound around a steel mandrel to form the bead. The size and intensity of flame can be adjusted depending on the glass used and the size of the bead being made. 
A bead is born ! Once the bead is nice and round (or whatever other shape takes your fancy) it can be cooled slowly. Once the bead is cooled it can be removed from the mandrel and placed in the kiln.
The beads are heated in the kiln and then cooled slowly to remove stresses in the glass. This makes the beads extremely durable. The beads are then cleaned of the powdery bead release inside the hole (which prevented the glass sticking forever to the mandrel). The beads are now ready to use.