Techniques in Soft Glass Torchwork: Hollows

Glass Arts

Techniques in Soft Glass Torchwork: Hollows

Try your hand at making hollow beads!

Member

$148.00 (any noted materials fee included)

Guest

$177.00 (any noted materials fee included)

Tuition Assistance and Other Policies

Meeting Times
  1. Sun, 2/9/2025 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Sun, 2/9/2025

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Type:
Class, Has Prerequisite

Location:
Glass Arts Studio

Interests:
Glass Torchworking

About

This class teaches the first in a series of ways to build beautiful hollow beads: The “Clamshell” Technique. Students will learn how to build even walled discs onto a mandrel. While discs are the building blocks for this technique, they could also be used on their own as focal beads!

Students will learn how to manipulate the discs to closure and then to heat the entire piece without causing the collapse of the hollow bead. Hot air inflates the closed discs, creating a beautiful hollow bead that is made entirely on the mandrel. NO BLOWING IS INVOLVED. Finishing these beads will be discussed as well as recommendations for brands and colors that are best for making hollows. Effetre glasses including “Opalino” glasses will be used.

Several of the skills that are taught in this class can be applied when using other techniques such as blown beads made with “Puffy” mandrel and the traditional blown beads made on a blowpipe.

Materials

  • A materials fee of $35, included in the price of the class, covers the use of studio tools and fuel, and the cost of the soft glass rod and stringer.
  • You are required to bring pre-dipped mandrels (minimum 20), and are encouraged to bring any tools and colored soft glass rods you are more comfortable working with. 

Prerequisites

This class is intended for advanced beginners and intermediates who have some experience with beadmaking or who have taken at least one introductory beadmaking class, such as Introduction to Torchwork: Beadmaking. You should be comfortable forming and shaping beads.

Class Policies

  • Ages 14 and up are welcome.
  • Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants of natural fibers. Wear closed-toe shoes (preferably leather or cotton). Stretch fabrics are prohibited.

BARN Policies

Instructors or Guides

Michele Benson

Michele has a bachelor's degree in studio art from Potsdam State College in New York and a master’s in social work from Portland State University. After many years in child welfare, Michele retired and opened Sandhill Glass Studio where she taught lampworking (torchwork) for more than 10 years until she moved to Washington state. She has taught lampworking (torchwork) at the Oregon Institute of Technology and Klamath Community College, and has written articles for Soft Flex Jewelry Company. Michele is a long-time member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers and is currently a member of the Glass Dragons. When not in her studio, Michele volunteers for the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County.

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