Beginning bead making

Description

This class is your first introduction to melting glass in the flame. In this class we will start by discussing proper safety techniques and basic fundamentals of glass. Students will learn about heating and handling hot glass while shaping them into fun and colorful beads. We will use a variety of tools to achieve many different shapes of beads, and learn how to combine different colors of glass into unique beads.

This is a one day class, but can be taught over two days to give students extra torch time and to explore more advanced techniques.

No previous experience is necessary.

Borosilicate bead making

This class will introduce students to making beads from borosilicate glass. We will discuss the unique properties of borosilicate glass while learning to make beautiful, one of a kind beads. We will discuss ways to incorporate color and clear into glass, and also discuss the proper way to develop color both on the torch and in the kiln.

This is a one day class, but can be taught over two days to give students extra torch time and to explore more advanced techniques.

Students should be comfortable making basic beads from soft glass.

Pendants 1 Class

This class is the ideal introduction to working with borosilicate glass off mandrel. We will make many different styles of pendants and learn several different ways to add loops to your pendants. We will also talk about how to develop color in borosilicate glass.

This is a 1 day class, but can be taught over 2 days to give extra torch time and individual instruction.

Students should have worked with glass before and be comfortable making basic beads.

Materials List

3-4 rods of 7 mm clear glass*
Several colors of glass rods. Striking and reducing colors work very well. Black and white is a must as well. I would stay away from crayon or cadmium colors for this class as they boil much easier.
A few colors of frit and clear frit. I like large size frit, but whatever size students have is fine.

*The diameters of glass listed are just suggestions. If students have something close they don’t need to go buy more glass for the class.

Tools List

Mandrels (at least 3/32″ in diameter) and bead release.
Tweezers.
Tungsten poke.
Metal can for water.

Pendants 2 Class

This class builds on the Pendants 1 class. It will take the techniques from the first class and build on them to make more complex pendant designs.

This is a 2 day class.

Students should have taken the Pendants 1 class or have made pendants on their own.

Materials List

3-4 rods of 7 mm clear glass*
2 rods of 4mm clear glass*
1 tube of 19 mm heavy wall clear glass*
1 tube of 12mm clear glass*
Several colors of glass rods. Striking and reducing colors work very well. Black and white is a must as well. I would stay away from crayon or cadmium colors for this class as they boil much easier.
A few colors of frit and clear frit. I like large size frit, but whatever size students have is fine.
A few opals. Make sure they fit inside your 12mm tube. (I will have some for purchase as well).

*The diameters of glass listed are just suggestions. If students have something close they don’t need to go buy more glass for the class.

Tools List

Tweezers.
Tungsten poke.
Metal can for water.
Scoring tool or wheel cutters.

Marbles 1 Class

Description

This class will teach students to make a variety of marbles. We will start with a simple one color marble and move on to more advanced, multiple color designs. We will discuss using punties to handle glass, using marble molds while creating several different styles of marbles.

This is a 2 day class. We will make marbles in the 1” range in this class, but the techniques are the same no matter the size of the marble.

Students taking this class should be comfortable working on pieces for longer periods of time and be comfortable making larger beads and other larger glass items.

Materials List

2 rods of 12mm clear glass*
2 rods of 7 mm clear glass*
2 rod of 4mm clear glass*
Several colors of glass rods. Black is a definite, plus a few striking colors. I would stay away from crayon or cadmium colors for this class as they boil much easier.
A few colors of frit and clear frit. I like large size frit, but whatever size students have is fine.

*The diameters of glass listed are just suggestions. If students have something close they don’t need to go buy more glass for the class.

Tools List

Marble mold. Should have multiple holes. Largest should be at least 1″ in diameter.
Tweezers.
Hot fingers (unless marble mold has a handle).
Graphite marvers. Hand held and plate style. The larger the better.
Tungsten poke.
Metal can for water.

Marbles 2 Class

Description

This class will build on the techniques learned in the Marbles 1 class. We will explore more complex marbles using both rod and tubing. We will also talk about gold and silver fuming to color your marbles, and incorporate opals into marbles.

This is a 2 day class. We will make marbles in the 1” range in this class, but the techniques are the same no matter the size of the marble.

Students taking this class should have taken the Marbles 1 class or have experience making marbles.

Materials List

2 rods of 12mm clear glass*
2 rods of 7 mm clear glass*
2 rod of 4mm clear glass*
Several colors of glass rods. Black is a definite, plus a few striking colors. I would stay away from crayon or cadmium colors for this class as they boil much easier.
A few colors of frit and clear frit. I like large size frit, but whatever size students have is fine.
1 – 26mm heavy or extra heavy wall tube*
1 – 12mm tube*
Opals. Make sure they fit inside your 12mm tube. (I will have some for purchase as well).

*The diameters of glass listed are just suggestions. If students have something close they don’t need to go buy more glass for the class.

Tools List

Marble mold. Should have multiple holes. Largest should be at least 1″ in diameter.
Tweezers.
Hot fingers (unless marble mold has a handle).
Graphite marvers. Hand held and plate style. The larger the better.
Tungsten poke.
Metal can for water.