Introduction to Lampworking

Dwyn Tomlinson: Instructor

You can learn to make glass beads! Since before the dawn of the written word, a select few have known the secret of melting glass into beads — now you too can learn the ancient techniques. Of course, now we have much more modern equipment and materials and it is a lot more fun!

"Introduction to Lampworking" will introduce you to the wonderful world of making lampwork beads. The class is largely hands-on, with a maximum of 6 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 4 hours. The cost is $150.00 (+ HST), 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, compatibility, annealling
• Making Beads
  • Making a basic bead
  • Decorating the bead:dots, bumps, lines
  • Beads don't have to be round: using tools to shape the glass
  • Decorating with frit
  • Heat and graviy and mashing the glass
  • Other techniques as time permits

The focus of Dwyn's classes is on playing with the glass and exploring possibilities: learning how the glass moves in the heat and getting a sense of how to use the heat and gravity - as well as the more tangible tools - to manipulate the glass.

The beads you make in class will be kiln-annealed and will be available for pick-up the following business day. If you are from out of town, we are happy to mail them to you at no extra charge.  In addition, you will get a 15% discount in store on beads on the day of the class. You also get a 2-hour complimentary studio card - good for 2 hours of unsupervised torch practice time at your convenience. (or 4 hours - if you use it during Happy Hour)

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. Tools and glass are provided as well. 

Lampworking for about five years now, Dwyn's particular strength is in making large, sculptural beads. She sells occasionally on ebay under the name DragonJools, and has her own website of the same name. You can read an interview with her here at the Beading Times.

She enjoys introducing newcomers to her "magnificent obsession." Her sense of humor, patience and background in technical writing and adult education serve her well in teaching raw beginners. Her obvious enthusiasm for playing with hot glass spills over to her students.