The really great thing about collecting lampwork beads is that storage requirements are minimal per item. They, of course, add up as the collection expands, but each one needs very little space. Think about the collector of punch bowls. Now that guy needs space!
So, if space is not the problem, what might be? Glass is pretty sturdy, and if the beads are annealed properly, not prone to breaking. So storage can be about the most items in the least space, or storage that allows you to see the lampwork beads without having to unwrap them.
First, if you want all your lampwork beads in one medium-sized box, you need to wrap each one in something soft. Tiny felt or silk bags that can be tied shut, or tiny bubble-wrap envelopes that can be taped shut will ensure that your beads to not work themselves out of their protection and potentially scratch each other. And, when displaying for a fellow bead lover or looking at the beads by yourself, you have that little time of anticipation while each lampwork glass bead is unwrapped. You also get to make little bags or envelopes.
You could keep each bead in a little plastic bag that zips closed. You probably got one when you bought the bead. Then you could store the information you have about the bead on paper inside the bag as well. When you do show and tell, you will have to make sure the bead gets back in the proper bag if it is removed for fondling, I mean inspection. Then you will need some kind of box or container to hold the bags, which will not stand up very well. Some internal dividers may be necessary to keep the bags in some kind of order.
In a plastic box that has built in dividers, like a small tackle or storage box, each bead can have its own cell. A bit of information can be written and the paper kept in the same cell. Or the cells can be numbered and a key for whole box be created to identify the bead in each cell and any other information known about the bead. The beads will rattle in the plastic cells, but a little felt can cut the noise down some. I use clear tackle/storage boxes with dividers, and put a strip of felt that covers the bottom and two sides, or bottom, 2 sides and top. I have not gotten so Virgo as to make full liners of felt for each cell, yet, but it could be done. But then, again, where the felt covers the top of the cell, the lampwork glass beads are not visible through the box lid and must be removed for examination.
One of my boxes for storing my lampwork bead collection.
One thing about the plastic tackle/storage box, the cells are not going to fit all of your lampwork beads. There will always be some that are to big for whichever size you decide will be your “usual” box. So if boxes of the same size and material come with different size cells, you will need to get a variety to hold most of the beads. There will always be the ones that still won’t fit because the cells are not deep enough, so keep an eye out for a deeper box for those.
So, now we have a box collection to store our lampwork bead collection. But each bead is safely snuggled in protective whatever and can rest comfortably until it’s show time.
Conservation is pretty easy once you’ve decided on your storage option. Lampwork art beads should not be dropped on the floor or table. They robably won’t break, but why risk it. A felt or a rectangle of Luxe blanket (aka bead mat) will protect the bead from the surface they are being laid on. Handle carefully, and keep out of the reach of children, and you should be conserving your collection. If dirty, a gentle wash in mild dish soap and letting it air dry should be all that is necessary to clean the bead. If there is a special surface treatment, you might want to get the bead maker’s opinion on cleaning methods before attempting any cleaning activity. If the original maker is not available, talk to someone who makes beads to see if they know whether there are any cleaning concerns for the surface treatment.
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