Collection: Out of Czechoslovakia

Endless Shapes, Colours and Styles

The Czech Republic has long been one of the leading producers of beads in the world. Their glass beads have become beautiful options in today’s jewellery designs - available in an endless variety of shapes, styles and colours.  

The area where Czech glass beads are now produced was once known as Bohemia. Evidence of glass bead-making has been found in this area as far back as the 8th and 9th centuries. Celts living in the area were quite skilled at glass making. The glass beads from this era were often found in tombs.

It wasn’t until the 16th century, around the 1550s, that glass bead-making became more of a major industry. Beaded costume jewellery became fashionable at this time, mainly around the towns of Jablonec, Stanovsko, and Bedrichov.  At this time, Bohemia saw a boom in cottage industries making beads for larger glass jewellery factories.

And this has continued until up until today, though the bead making industry suffered periods of hardship following World War I and World War II.

Courtesy:  the ‘Artbeads’ Blog – The History of Czech Glass Beads