Making your own glass beads from start to finish is incredibly rewarding. “I made it myself” has an entirely different meaning when your friends hear you were able to form molten glass into your very own bead designs.
The contemporary art glass movement has seen a wonderful resurgence of this ancient and respected art form. Come and see what all the fuss is about!
Firekin Studios offers all levels of lampwork glass beadmaking classes. You will receive all of the technical information needed to work with hot glass in a safe, easy, fun, and interactive setting. Students will make finished beads to take home and receive handouts of many techniques covered during the workshop and a listing of resources.
6 hour Beginner Intensive Lampwork Beadmaking
You will learn:
· understanding glass
· safety safety safety & eye protection
·basic tools & supplies
· the secret of making bead holes
· setting up your work area
· overview of torch and fuel gas
·hot glass manipulation
·making your first basic round bead
· preventing thermal shock by slow cooling your bead
· the importance of kiln annealing your beads
· finishing & cleaning your bead
· using a marver/graphite paddle
· other bead shapes square triangular cylinders
· bead surface decoration techniques
· raking patterns, stripes, trails
· spots, dots & eyes
· gravity is your friend
· overwraps, bi & tri colour
· work area clean up
· resource listings
Intermediate and Advanced Lampwork Beadmaking classes will be available as needed.
Just what kind of people teach people to play with fire anyhow?
About your instructors: Terri Shupenko and Kelly Trost are the creative team behind Firekin. They enjoy creating inspirational wearable art and teaching people how to get in touch with their own creative spirit. Their combined thirty years of teaching experience, a light hearted approach, and unique backgrounds make for a fun and enjoyable learning experience. They have had the honour of having their artwork exhibited and sold locally, nationally, and internationally.
