Then they were blown into molds and silvered on the inside. Then the famous local glass grinders went to work, smoothing the ends and adding facets, removing the black layer. This results in a series of tiny mirrors framed in black glass all over the beads. The Japanese learned to make blown beads, apparently as a result of Sakubei Oi bringing the technique of single-blowing beads from Europe in 1875. Around 1885 Tokichi Nakamichi introduced a multiple mold-blowing technique.
Seams are visible at the edges of the beads.
Molded blown beads are cheap, light, colorful and popular. The come in a great variety of form and serve many uses. They are particular favorites in some villages in Mexico and Peru. A variety of silver-lined molded blown glass beads. Angela Froud .