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Below is a point-by-point overview of the lampworking (beadmaking) courses we offer here at BLGW. For a course summary that describes the different packages we offer, including fees, course times etc., please visit our Rates page. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>Course Description - Beginner<<< 1. SAFETY! While glass beadmaking is certainly safe, a proper understanding and respect of the tools we use is essential. We will begin our class by discussing those safety standards.
Be sure to dress appropriately for the class; Wear long hair tied back, cotton or natural fibers, no shorts or plunging necklines and no excessive jewelry. | |
Class size is limited to 2 students, which allows for personalized assessment, feedback, instruction and supervision.
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2. Equipment
Using & maintaining gas tanks, hoses & regulators
Different gas options & Oxygen concentrators
Torches; Order of turning on the gases and lighting the torch
Shutting down the equipment when done
Kilns – proper kilns for annealing beads, digital controllers
Cooling with fiber blankets and vermiculite & the limitations of these methods
Batch annealing
Basic tools used in beadmaking
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3. Ergonomics:
Proper way to hold mandrels and rods
Importance of good posture and taking breaks
Workbench set up: Chair height, good lighting, table height
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4. Physical and Chemical properties of glass:
Different types of glass (hard glass, soft glass, different brand names)
COE’s and compatibility
Stress in glass, thermal shock
Annealing, annealing range and annealing point
Reduction flame and oxidizing flame
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5. Beadmaking basics:
Avoid thermal shocking rods by warming slowly, perpendicular to the flame
Winding glass on, laying down an even “footprint”
Importance of slow, even rotation of mandrel
Positioning of the hands
Adding extra glass
Where to work in the flame
Using heat and gravity to help shape the bead
Making even and dimpled ends
How to remove air bubbles
Shaping with graphite tools, making different bead shapes
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6. More techniques:
Pulling stringer
Making dots, twisting dots, layering dots, feathering and raking
Distorting the surface of a bead: poking, squashing, raking, twisting, cutting, etc.
Applying stringer
Basic encasing
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7. Preparations and clean up:
Preparing mandrels
Proper consistency for bead release, how to dip mandrels, and dry release
Cleaning glass rods
Removing beads from the mandrel
Cleaning bead holes
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8. Resources:
Recommended reading or video viewing
Information on suppliers of glass, tools and equipment
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8. Your beads:
At course end your beads will be batch-annealed to relieve internal stress and insure longevity. It is best to let the beads "soak" in the kiln and slow-cool overnight. If your travel plans are such that you will not be in town to pick them up the next day, your beads will be shipped to you via First Class Post. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>Course Description - Intermediate<<< | Outlining a general syllabus for the intermediate-level beadmaking course is more difficult as it is varies depending on that individual students beadmaking experience and needs. Therefore, intermediate-level courses will be planned on a case-by-case basis and structured to speak to those needs directly. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>Specialty - Hollow Beads<<< Wound hollow beads are made by creating two glass "walls" constructed on a mandrel, then sealed together, trapping air between them. When heated, the trapped air expands and pushes out the softened glass walls, forming a puffy, lightweight bead.
Why hollow beads? From the perspective of jewelry designers, less is more.
Hollow beads, by definition, weigh less than solid beads of the same size, making them ideal design elements for necklaces and earrings. From the glass artist's perspective, there's something challenging and magical about making hollow beads. | | | | |
| Originally, I was forced (happily) to learn how to make hollow beads because of a large order we accepted from Chanel of France. At the time we received it I had never made a hollow bead before and the order called for some 1500 of them! To be honest, I found the process impossibly difficult to grasp. I spent many longs days and nights attempting to find the trick behind making hollow beads. Fortunately, I was able to finally uncover the necessary steps and complete the order. |
While hollow beads can certainly be maddening to learn, I have found that the learning curve can most certainly be decreased with the assistance of a patient instructor.
Because of the difficulty level, hollow beadmaking instruction is reserved for intermediate students or those who have completed the beginner course and have moved into the advanced studies stage.
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