Heirloom Fire: Czech Glasswork
A Cultural Heritage Presentation by Andrea Turini
Minnesota jewelry artist Andrea Turini brings audiences inside the living traditions of Czech glass and beadmaking. Her presentation, Heirloom Fire: Czech Glasswork, draws on firsthand experiences in Jablonec nad Nisou, a region long recognized as a world center of bead and button production.
Culture Storytelling
The evolution of the Czech glass industry, from family workshops to state-run factories under communism, and how artists adapted their craft during these changing eras
Generational traditions — families who have passed down lampworking, pressing, and cutting techniques for centuries
The cultural significance of beads and buttons, both as local artistry and as exports that shaped global fashion
The resilience of a cottage industry that once fed an entire region, where survival depended on glass and beadmaking — and the fact that many workshops remain in business today is nothing short of astounding.
Interactive Demonstration
Step-by-step look at how a bead and a button are made
Sample beads at different production stages for audiences to handle
A Czech button mold and examples of finished jewelry featuring Czech glass
Recognition
This program was awarded a Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) grant, recognizing its artistic and educational value. While the grant supports a tour in southeastern Minnesota, Andrea also offers the program to arts centers, libraries, cultural groups, and community organizations across the wider region.
About the Presenter
Andrea Turini is a Minnesota jewelry artist whose work highlights Czech glass and bead embroidery. In addition to her studio practice, she contributes to the regional arts community as both an artist and a volunteer. She has served on boards and finance committees for cultural nonprofits, drawing on her professional background as a CPA to strengthen organizations that preserve and promote community heritage.