| Author | Content |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:13 PM Post #3620278
| Hey Guys,
I've recently taken up "lampwork beading" and when I posted some beads I made, people on another thread said I should post a thread here. I'm a high school English teacher and our sweet ART teacher offered free lessons! Hey...I thought I was going to be making a lampshade with beads hanging off of it! Come to find out, it's an ancient art...the FIRST type of "art" ever, originating 40 thousand years ago!
Anyway, you take a torch and start melting a long (about 12 inches) rod of glass and wind the glass onto a steel rod called a mandrel. There are myriad shapes, colors, applications, etc. to "decorate" the beads.
Here are a few pics of my first efforts (VERY much a newbie at the art), and then I'll post some beads by the experts after I go to Sonic to get my DH the cheeseburger and tater tots he's craving! :)
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:16 PM Post #3620290
| This is a set of beads I made the first few weeks of beading. The glass rod already has the darker green in it...you just have to wind it pretty straight so the lines are straight. The black beads in between are also handmade. My "teacher" taught me to use this black leather and then to just use another bead for the closing...very easy and cost efficient! 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:19 PM Post #3620300
| And more beads... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:20 PM Post #3620307
| And the last one by me... 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:22 PM Post #3620312
| And now what I ASPIRE TO...these are the "greats" of the glass beadmaking world...
First, Andrea Guarino...my favorite
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:24 PM Post #3620322
| And this necklace is made of beads by Anne Ricketts, whose class I took the last 8 weeks; she's from the Austin area 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
pepper23
KC Metro area, MO
(Zone 5b)
June 15, 2007
10:24 PM Post #3620327
| Wow!!! All are gorgeous!! |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:25 PM Post #3620333
| And this is a bead I recently bought; in addition to it being cool, it was then electroplated with copper! The extra bead is a bezel bead to match. I plan to hang this on a dyed-silk ribbon. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:27 PM Post #3620338
| Thanks, Pepper! I never dreamed I'd get so caught up in this...now I'm converting a storage room off my carport into a tiny "studio" for this! |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:29 PM Post #3620349
| And another by the expert Corina Tettinger, know by many in the bead world as one of the leading lampworkers over the world. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 15, 2007
10:31 PM Post #3620358
| Now you can see that mine as just beginner beads, but I'm having such fun learning! I'll post pics of my studio as they progress. Tomorrow I have to clear out all the yard equipment and my DH's fly fishing stuff from the closet so the builder can get in there and see what he has to work with. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
June 16, 2007
08:50 AM Post #3621373
| Wow, yours are very very nice the others are masterful. What fun to learn that. It won't be long until you are there. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 16, 2007
10:30 AM Post #3621656
| Hi Connie,
Your beads are beautiful. I would love to learn this art.
Can you tell us more about the cost of equipment? What do you use to cool the beads after torching them?
I'd love to see photos of your studio when it's finished.
Janet |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 16, 2007
07:58 PM Post #3623184
| Janet,
Well, there is a very simple KIT you can buy online for 100 dollars with a "baby" torch called a "Hot Head" but it only makes TINY beads that don't have to be annealed (larger beads will crack if you don't kiln them. Also, if not kilned and you drop them, they will break. I've dropped the green beads 2 times on wood floors, and no breakage!...they were properly annealed in a kiln at school).
I can certainly give you the cost of a beginner professional set up as I'm buying it now! The very basic setup with equipment and tools is $1500. That includes (my equipment) a Minor torch, a "Chilipepper" bead kiln with auto timer, an oxygen concentrator (used one), a "creation station" that holds the torch and has rests for your wrists and elbows, and a bead reamer to clean them out. Then you need mandrels, bead release to coat them, and about $50 worth of tools, including a marver, tweezers, hot rod holder, etc. THEN you need a ventilation system bc the torch emits toxic fumes! THEN finally you buy about $300. worth of glass, frits, silver & gold foils, etc.
My DH made me wait 8 weeks from the time I REALLY WANTED all this...and asked me to take another class to make sure!! It's all I read about & fantasize about (poor guy, it's not him anymore! haha). So...the sweetie is converting a storeroom (I"ll post pic here tomorrow when I empty it!) for me, by putting in AC, electricity, ventilation, a work desk, storage, shelves and a window! I'll have to share it with 2 huge water heaters, but oh well... :)
This is NOT a cheap hobby so most people try to make money off of it by selling what they make, but I HATE selling things so will just use it to make gifts for family and friends.
Thanks for asking..as you can tell...I can wax poetic on this topic! haha
This bead is one I saw online last night by Lakeside Beads...wow...
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 16, 2007
09:01 PM Post #3623376
| WOW! I can see why hubby wanted you to be SURE that's what you wanted. It's a big investment.
I worked for a gal that had a nice set up like what you are talking about. She owned a bead shop. I started working for her husband as a bookkeeper part-time, just to supply my beading habit. Then I went to work for him full time and didn't have much time to make jewelry any more.
We parted ways, and now the bead "stash" I have fills up a rather large rolling luggage. My sister, Connie and I use them to detail our sculptures. She and I have talked about getting a kit from Hobby Lobby to make our own, but from what you've said, it sounds like we'd be disappointed in the long run.
Thanks so much for taking the time to explain. Maybe some day we'll make that investment. We'd have to win the lottery though and that would be hard to do considering I've never bought a ticket yet. HAHAHA
Janet |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 16, 2007
09:46 PM Post #3623542
| Janet,
If you and your sister went together for one setup, that would be perfect! All the 3 main parts (torch, kiln, and oxygen concentrator) all portable!
This is my birthday, Christmas and anniversary presents all rolled into one, and I'm lucky that my DH feels a need to "even things out" as he spends HIS time and money on fly fishing, which is also expensive.
These beads are by Brad Pearson, another expert.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Calalily
South Padre Island, TX
(Zone 10a)
June 18, 2007
11:45 AM Post #3629404
| Beautiful beads. I had no idea how they were made! |
ecobioangie
Mableton, GA
(Zone 7b)
June 18, 2007
12:24 PM Post #3629539
| They are all gorgeous, yours included! But my favorite has to be the bottom right one of Andrea Guarino's. Ooooooo... lol Why are these hobbies alway so &$^%* expensive??!? |
Calalily
South Padre Island, TX
(Zone 10a)
June 19, 2007
10:56 AM Post #3633205
| There is an ad on Wet Canvas, a girl on the east coast, I think New York, is selling her bead making stuff. It is pick up only, no shipping. Here is the link http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4... |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 22, 2007
04:10 AM Post #3644357
| Cala,
I went to the link you mentioned and hated that I missed that Tag Sale! Thanks for the info, however! :) |
jerryhildebrand
Cincinnati, OH
(Zone 6a)
June 22, 2007
06:35 PM Post #3646736
| you can buy a starter kit at hobby lobby |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 23, 2007
12:52 AM Post #3647955
| Is it the 100. one? Do they have other things like glass rods??? I'll have to check it out... |
TxTurqoize
San Antonio, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 24, 2007
11:53 PM Post #3655041
| Beautiful..Connie! My goodness...those colors are gorgeous!
Melanie |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 24, 2007
11:57 PM Post #3655053
| Connie,
Maybe you can help me out with some info. Last night I was googling glass marbles, looking for LARGE ones. I ran across some that looked like they glowed in the dark with very vivid colors (under black light). They were made of uranium or vaseline glass. Is that something that is readily available to the general public, so a person could make their own beads that "glow"?
|
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 25, 2007
03:45 PM Post #3657189
| UniQue: I don't know of a glass that emits a glow, but there is something called dichroic that has an iridescence. I've heard of vaseline glass...kinda light yellowish green, I think?
I"ll ask on my glass forum about the glowing glass, but really don't think it's available...yet!~ |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
June 25, 2007
04:33 PM Post #3657376
| I know about dichroic glass. I love that stuff and have several pieces that I always choose to wear. Someone told me that it was used in dentist office lights, etc.
I have seen some Fenton pieces that I was told were Vaseline glass.
You can read some of the history about the uranium glass here on this ebay listing. I thought it was pretty interesting.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagen... |
leafsoup
Georgetown, SC
July 02, 2007
07:09 PM Post #3687612
| Connie,
As a artist, your photo gave me a great idea to gather some beads and paint them.
Beading can be soooooo expensive but soooo creative and beautiful!
|
roadrunner
Hereford, AZ
(Zone 8a)
July 02, 2007
07:54 PM Post #3687764
| Connie...I love your work...I wish I had steadier hands...I might like to do the beads.
We have a girl on DG (Karen7) who made me a bead with a brown & Black lizard on it...and another with a frog with dark green and a brighter green on a black bead...I wear them as pendants a lot. I got the best end of the trade. I don't think she is subscribed to DG now...but here is her website...Jo
http://beadsnsuch.home.insightbb.com/index.html
|
Georgart53
Clifton, TX
July 06, 2007
11:56 AM Post #3703057
| I'd love to do glass beads too, but I have too much stuff that I do already. Painting in oils, acrylics, watercolor, ... ...
I am a potter, I make poly clay jewelry, I sew, knit, crochet and I don't have time to do all that.. I can't get into something else.. !!!!
But looks like you are doing really good Connie. |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 08, 2007
02:44 AM Post #3709869
| Thanks to all for adding to this thread! I just returned from a vacation which included Tacoma, Washington's Museum of Glass, where I saw fabulous glass art, PLUS Dale Chihuly's wonderful Bridge of Glass...anyone been there?
I have not made beads in about a month now...and I'm dying to get busy on Monday after my kids are back to Houston, hubby is gone, and I'm alone and can get to work! :)
Here's a picture of the rather famous metal cone on the roof of the MoG...it serves a double purpose: architectural interest forTacoma's skyline, AND it vents out the hot air from the museum's "Hot Shop" in which glass artists do demos!
This message was edited Jul 8, 2007 4:14 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Georgart53
Clifton, TX
July 08, 2007
11:58 AM Post #3710902
| Wow! I'll have to look it up on the internet. I haven't been to Washington.
I do love Chihuly! The only thing of his I've seen in person is at the Dallas Museum. They have a large piece in the cafe area in a huge window. Flowers on a metal structure. I don't know the name of it. But I used to show a video to my students every year whether they wanted it or not! |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 08, 2007
05:15 PM Post #3711895
| He has a HUGE installation at one of the Vegas hotels...can't remember which one now, but I have lots of pics somewhere. |
Georgart53
Clifton, TX
July 08, 2007
07:13 PM Post #3712276
| I think it 's the Venetian. |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 08, 2007
09:12 PM Post #3712773
| You are right...I remember now.
Georgart...where is Clifton, TX? East? |
slcdms
Ripley, MS
July 08, 2007
09:22 PM Post #3712826
| My daughter gave me a calander on year of Chihuly's garden glass works, he makes some wonderful pieces to put into gardens. I can only look could never afford any of his work.
I don't need another hobby either. I love to make braclets out of small beads with a peyote stitch. It is just a calming hobby to me, also do earrings, but my faviorite thing to do is peyote stitch.
Sandra |
Georgart53
Clifton, TX
July 09, 2007
09:28 AM Post #3714379
| Clifton is in Central Texas.. near Waco.. I don't really live in Clifton, it's a small town about 10 miles away, but we are on a rural route and Clifton is the PO it goes thru. We live on Lake Whitney on the West side of the lake. Which by the Way!!!! is way over the banks right now. I am going to try and go down and take some pics. My mom has been her for like 30 years and has never seen it that high before.
Connie..if you get on 35 and head north and make a left at Hillsboro on 22, stay on 22 for 19 miles... you come to the Lake.
I don't know if I would have the patience to do that beading. Funny what people find calming. I knit which is funny because I tried knitting since I was a teen and couldn't ... finally at the age of 51 I picked it up and there you go. Did it.. lol |
Connie_W
Austin, TX
(Zone 8b)
July 09, 2007
04:34 PM Post #3715839
| Talk about hobbies...I used to be PASSIONATE about needlepointing, but I gave it up when I couldn't see to finish a petitpoint stocking I bought for my daughter. Poor babe...she's 25 and still doesn't have a homemade stocking by mom and her big brother does!! :) |
Georgart53
Clifton, TX
July 10, 2007
03:04 PM Post #3719741
| I used to do Cross stitch but it made my neck hurt. But knitting and crochet doesn't seem to bother me anymore. I don't do string crochet much though. Mostly yarn. And mostly I knit. I need a baby pattern a friend of mine is having a baby so I want to make something for the baby.
I would also like to get into the glass slumping. Has anyone done that? |
