The design possibilities of glass are endless. Czech pressed glass beads are produced in moulds allowing for more complex shapes and a uniform size and hole. Round isn’t everything. We stock an extraordinary range of shapesin amazing finishes and a variety of colours in every shade. We use over 17 different suppliers all of which are small makers. This guarantees them fair pay and our customers unique beads. These makers make up our moulds so we can offer exclusive designs. Several of our mixed glass beads are also unique as they are experimental combinations.

History of Pressed Bead Production – Czech Republic

The C19th saw a period of industrial innovation. In the Czech Republic the first automated machines were patented in the late C19th. New machines were developed producing a vast variety of beads, by a process of pressing molten glass rods into a heated mold. This meant that thousands of identical beads could be turned out quickly and inexpensively.

Although there has been some improvements – mainly in working conditions, the critical processes of bead manufacture remain unchanged. The only limiting factor in the C19th was the process of manufacturing the molds, which was both difficult and precise. Cottage crafters were given several molds for each bead press and turned out beads to order for their local factory until about until 1945. It was then under the communist regime in Czechoslovakia that the entire glass making industry was nationalized. Since the 1990’s there has been a return to cottage industry bead making.