11/02/2025
This is the 1st book I’ve come across that combines my love of beads with my love of historical fiction. Tracy Chevalier’s “The Glassmaker” follows a Murano family of glassmakers in the 15th century. Tragedy strikes & the eldest daughter Orsola teaches herself to make beads in secret to help make ends meet. Full of glassblowing details about the process & personnel like who is the maestro, servente & garzonetti and their roles, this is a wonderful book for anyone who likes handmade glass & history. The world famous Rosetta Bead is created by her mentor Maria Barovier from a competitor’s family. These are the large barrel shaped beads with as many as 16 layers that are placed in star shaped molds. After the cane is cut apart, the ends are beveled to reveal 12 points of white stars. A woman lampworker was unheard of in that time. Lamp working at the time relied on burning tallow & pumping a bellows with your feet while trying to manipulate molten glass. The story follows Orsola’s family through the Plague, invasions, pandemic & changes in styles, fashion & the glass industry. This is a great read by one of our best storytellers. Happy Beading & Happy Reading!