River War 2014

I first learned how to make glass beads at River Wars, two years ago, so this event is somewhat of an anniversary for me! We had a bead making artisans row space again, which was good. Although the windy weather made bead making difficult at first, it calmed down later enough for us to let some people try to make beads.

Erica, Bruni, and Erlan (not pictured, Elizabeth and Aurddreilen)

I was asked twice today about how beads were made in period. I was able to describe the kilns that were used, but I did not have pictures with me, which is something I think I want to bring with me to demo's in the future. Below are a few videos of people working with reconstructed period bead kilns. Two basic types of kilns have been reconstructed by reenactors.

1) Volcano Kiln: opening at the top (this is the type of Kiln Bruni and I attempted at Pennsic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIreddPywfU&list=PLXBSIh9PcqLK96Ex09aPZCmnDjvnfKnl3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EBvkz3IWUA&list=PLXBSIh9PcqLK96Ex09aPZCmnDjvnfKnl3&index=5

2) Beehive Kiln: side opening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HSFgO8TzxVs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cniQ9VStwTM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BCYdD5trNys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0tUBowpqlw