Learn to prepare glass for shaping, how to use basic tools, and how to apply glass to achieve donut- and tab-shaped beads. If your torch skills are rusty, we'll review the basics. You'll develop confidence and muscle memory for the skills being taught. Each session will cover specific skills and practice time. You'll also be provided with mandrels and a glass rod assortment to take home and use for future use during an Open Studio.

Details

• Day 1: After a brief introduction, you'll learn the basic properties of “soft” glass, the compatibility of glass (COE), reactions between different colors of glass, how heat can affect glass, embellishment techniques including applying stringers and dots, and simple manipulation of embellishments.
• Day 2: After reviewing and practicing skills from the previous day, you'll learn the techniques of two-color twists, filigrana, and applying stringers and/or twists onto a cylinder bead. You'll learn how to make cased beads, which will prepare you to make a tiger bead. And finally, you'll work with frit and its application techniques.
• Skill level: Beginners welcome.