WHAT IS ANNEALING AND WHY IS IT NECESSARY?
Annealing is the process by which recently-melted glass is slowly cooled to reduce internal stress.
Glassworking, whether glassblowing or lampworking, alters the properties of glass. As the molten glass cools, residual stress will remain. If not carefully cooled in a specially-designed kiln, there is an increased risk of thermal shock, which will cause the glass to crack, break or shatter.
It is believed that many if not most imported, mass-produced beads have not been properly annealed, which explains the high rate of breakage among such beads.
Responsible artists will not sell lampwork glass that has not been kiln-annealed. Annealing helps to ensure the strength, durability and longevity of lampworked glass.
WHAT IS THE ANNEALING CAMPAIGN?
It's a campaign to educate buyers on the importance of purchasing lampwork products that have been properly annealed. All artists, whether LoLA members or not, are encouraged to use these icons to signify annealed glasswork.
NOTE: Please store the image on your own computer and upload them to your destination target.
DO NOT hot link!