Lampworking Classes with Amy Waldman Smith

Form and symmetry are hallmarks of Amy's beads. She pays close attention to the technical details and strives towards uniform, functional beads. She has been making glass beads since 2001 and began working from her home studio in Richmond Hill in 2003. Prior to that, she haunted the beadFX studio in every spare moment. Amy has been teaching people how to make lampwork beads at beadFX since 2004.

Working with glass is a natural high for me. In the total concentration that results then I am "at the torch" the world disappears for a time. My focus is on what I am creating and how it moves in the flame. I lose all track of time. The way the glass flows when hot, but is a solid when cool continues to amaze me. I work with a material that flows and moves yet I create solid objects! One of life's mysteries I guess!

I have always been an artistic person. Since childhood I have been creating in a variety of mediums.

In 1977 I began to experiment with photography. I spent many hours creating in the darkroom. I have taken a number of photography classes over the years including four semesters at college in the 1980s where I was studying at an advertising program. This program encompassed many areas including design, topography, graphic arts and photography to name a few.

I have had a love of beads and jewellery forever. Recently my parents moved and found an old piece of beaded loomwork that I had done in the mid 1970s!

I have taught arts and crafts to children for a number of years through different organizations that I have been involved with.

Glass is my current focus. I was able to take a weekend course with the renowned bead-maker Lezlie Winemaker in early 2000 which was my introduction to flamework. I have continued to practice my craft and am now teaching others how to make glass beads.

I am always experimenting with new ideas, styles and forms. I am a patient teacher who enjoys seeing the light in my student's eyes as they too fall in love with playing with molten glass.

Read more about Amy here. (offsite link)

"Introduction to Lampworking" 5-hour class

This class will introduce you to the wonderful world of making lampworked or flameworked beads. Maximum of 4 students. Students usually make about 6 -12 beads, depending on their aptitude. If coffee makes your hands shake, you may want to refrain before the class.

The class is 5 hours, and starts at 11 a.m. The cost is $150.00, and includes all the equipment and glass that you will require. Topics covered include:

• Overview of the equipment and tools, basic safety information. Setting up a home studio is also discussed.
• Types of glass
• Making Beads
  • How to make a basic round bead. Focus is on making a really good spacer bead so that the student can get a handle on this very important foundation step for those who want to go on to making beads for sale or for jewelry.
  • Making dot beads and bumpy beads
  • Making and working with stringers
  • Beads don't have to be round, manipulating the glass with tools: tablets, cubes, tubes, etc.
  • Encasing
  • Florals
  • Other techniques can be included, if time permits, such as silver foil, gold stone stringers and/or twisties depending on the student's requests. Classes are individually structured to each student's needs.

   

The beads you make in class will be kiln-annealed and will be available for pick-up the following day. If you are from out of town, we are happy to mail them to you at no extra charge.

Please wear cotton fabric clothing, long, tight-fitting sleeves, old jeans, and if you have long hair, please tie it back. Safety glasses are provided.

In addition, student get a 15% discount in store on beads on the day of their class.

Prior payment required. To enroll in this class, please call 416.701.1373 or toll free 877.473.2323 (877.473.BEAD) or email info@beadfx.com

"Lampworking Weekend" Two-day, 8-hour class for beginners

The two-day weekend class is also designed for beginners. Covering all the same material as the 6-hour Introduction class, it handles each step in more depth and provides more practice time. Practice is an essential ingredient in working with glass. The class is eight hours of instruction and torch-time. Maximum 4 students.

More practice time is included so as to better acquaint the student with the subtleties of encasing, using silver foil, goldstone stringers, twisties, and adding sculptural work and hollow beads.

Class Overview

• Overview of the equipment and tools, basic safety information. Setting up a home studio is also discussed.
• Types of glass, COE
• Making Beads
  • How to make a basic round bead. Focus is on making a really good spacer bead so that the student can get a handle on this very important foundation step for those who want to go on to making beads for sale or for jewelry.
• Making dot beads and bumpy beads
• Making and working with stringers
• Beads don't have to be round, manipulating the glass with tools: tablets, cubes, tubes, etc.
• Encasing
• Florals
• Using Silver foil
• Gold stone stringers
• Twisties
• Sculptural work
• Hollow beads
  
  
• Classes are individually structured to the student's needs and goals.

  The Saturday class starts promptly at 10:00 a.m. and the Sunday class starts a hour later at 11:00 a.m. The cost is $240.00, and includes all the equipment and glass that you will require.

The beads you make in class will be kiln-annealed and will be available for pick-up the following day. If you are from out of town, we are happy to mail them to you at no extra charge.

Please wear cotton fabric clothing, long, tight-fitting sleeves, old jeans, and if you have long hair, please tie it back. Safety glasses are provided.

In addition, student get a 15% discount in store on beads on the days of their class.

Prior payment required. To enroll in this class, please call 416.701.1373 or toll free 877.473.2323 (877.473.BEAD) or email info@beadfx.com

"Ready for More " 5-hour class

Had that introductory class? Been practising on your own for a few hours? Ready for something more? This is the class for you!

This course is mainly student driven - What is it that is giving you problems? Class limited to five students so there will be time for individual assistance.

Potential topics: Perfecting symetry - the little round bead. Heat control - when to take the bead out of the flame. Ends - that wonderful puckered end. Hollow beads, encasing, sculptural creations, florals. The exact topics covered and demonstrations will be student led. You decide what you are ready for now!

Prerequisite: An indroductory class and a few months of practising on your own.

Cost - $150

Please wear cotton fabric clothing, long, tight-fitting sleeves, old jeans, and if you have long hair, please tie it back. Safety glasses are provided.

In addition, student get a 15% discount in store on beads on the days of their class.

Prior payment required. To enroll in this class, please call 416.701.1373 or toll free 877.473.2323 (877.473.BEAD)