Intermediate Boro Marbles

Glass Arts

Intermediate Boro Marbles

Roll your marbles from plain to spectacular with more advanced techniques.

 

Tuition Assistance and Other Policies


Sat, 2/17/2024

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Type:
Age 18+, Class, Has Prerequisite

Location:
Glass Studio

Interests:
Glass Torchworking

About

Make several torchworked marbles after the instructor demonstrates at least three different marble designs. You'll have time to make several yourself with assistance from the instructor as desired. Either of the torch types available in the studio are sufficient to make these, although students who are comfortable using the larger torches likely will be able to make larger marbles.

Class will be taught with borosilicate glass, but the techniques transfer to soft glass and any variations needed for soft glass will be discussed.

You'll learn and practice shaping gathers of glass into striped and swirled marbles, some with dichro inside. Additional techniques you'll practice are cold seals and using steel mandrels as punties.

Details

Experience level: While this is designed for intermediate students, those with more extensive experience making other items at the torch, while not specifically marbles, also are welcome.

Materials

  • A $36 materials fee, included in the cost of the class, covers the use of studio tools, clear boro rod and flat rod, large-diameter colored boro rod, dichroic glass, and a sampling of additional colors of glass to choose from to combine with the primary colored rod.
  • You're encouraged to bring any of your scrap boro you might like to use as well any tools you're more comfortable using.

Prerequisites

You should have previously made marbles in an introductory class and, ideally, have had at least one or two extra practice sessions.

Class Policies

  • Ages 14 and up are welcome.
  • Closed-toe shoes (preferably of leather or cotton) and long pants are required in the Glass Studio at all times.
  • For torchworking, long-sleeve shirts and long pants of natural fibers are ideal. Stretch fabrics are prohibited.

BARN Policies

Instructors or Guides

Laura Arns

Although she's a computer scientist by day, Laura Arns has been working with glass in various ways for more than 20 years during her free time. As a lampworker, she is somewhat unusual because she hasn't specialized but instead works with both borosilicate and soft glass to create beads, marbles, blown ornaments, sculptures, goblets, and more. She particularly enjoys collaborative projects with artists and artisans who work in other mediums. Over the years, she's had the opportunity to learn from numerous well-known lampworkers. A former college professor, she's looking forward to more teaching in BARN's Glass Arts Studio.

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