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 from using the smaller hothead torch to setting up your own studio.

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. All of the students who take a lampwork class also receive a glass bead specially designed and created by Firekin.

Prerequisite Class: 3 hour Beginner Lampwork Beadmaking covers a number of safety concerns as well as how to work with gravity and heat to create a round bead. The first 12 items (up to finishing and cleaning your bead) of the 6 hour class are covered. The prerequisite class allows students to get a good idea if beadmaking is something they might have the “hots” for. 

3 hour Beginner Intensive: Lampwork Beadmaking designed for those that get bitten hard by the beadmaking bug! After a good review of the basics you will learn more decorative techniques and get some torch time in!

You will learn:
understanding glass
safety safety safety & eye protection
basic tools & supplies glass, table top torch, fuel, ceramic fiber blanket, mandrels, clay bead separator
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 (we will not be using a kiln in class but this is the quality standard expected for bead artists who want to sell their work)
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

Important Information:

Workshops are always limited to 6 people to ensure an optimum and safe learning experience. Tuition includes rental of specially designed beadmaking torch & tools, and the use of other studio materials. No prior experience necessary, returning students are welcome. Registration is taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Waiting lists are available for all classes that fill. Classes must be paid for in advance. Appropriate attire is required - wear old clothes (preferably cotton) Shirts with long sleeves that fit close to your body & long pants without cuffs. (no flowing sleeves please beads seem magical but we are not at Hogwarts!)  Long hair must be tied back or put up. Due to the fact that we will be working with an open flame students must be at least 18 years of age and are required to sign a waiver. We will take breaks as needed to stretch and get fresh air. If you wish to bring a bottle of water and a snack please feel free! 

Just what kind of people play with hot glass anyhow?
About Your Instructors: Terri Shupenko and Kelly Trost are the creative team behind Firekin Studios. 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.

Did you know? Historically Beads have been the basis of most primitive economies, as well as a strong root for culture and ritual of ancient communities. Every important archaeological dig has proven this by uncovering beads and ornamentation of some sort. By 330 BC the art of glass beadmaking was practiced in most parts of the ancient world? Glass beads were prized and sought after along with gems and gold? The ancient Egyptians and Romans developed many of the techniques you will learn in this workshop? The art of glass beadmaking was one of the most closely guarded secrets in the world? Scientifically speaking glass is in a class by itself?