This extensive beginner-friendly class will introduce you to the foundations of glass bead making—no prior experience needed. Using a torch, you’ll learn how to melt and shape glass onto a mandrel (steel rod), practice creating basic bead forms, and explore surface decoration techniques to add pattern and texture.
This class is designed with two kinds of students in mind – for those just interested in a more in-depth session in comparison to our 1-hour bead making experience – as well as for students who may be interested in pursuing glass bead making as a personal practice or hobby.
Please note: When comparing the 3-hour class to the 1-hour class, you may notice that students typically make fewer beads per hour in the 3-hour course. There are a few reasons for this. The 1-hour class entirely skips the technical exercises and deeper instruction that the 3-hour class includes, at the expense of not building those deeper foundational skills. In the 2nd and 3rd hours of the 3-hour class, students tend to explore more complex designs that are out of reach in the 1-hour class. Finally, the 3-hour foundations class also covers a demo of how to clean/finish beads once they cool.
This class provides the fundamental skills needed to go off on your own, whether that be in your own home studio, or by renting studio time at your local public-access glass studio(s). All craftspeople are lifelong students, so we encourage students to continue taking classes or workshops every once in a while to avoid developing bad habits that tend to develop in isolation. There are many talented glass bead making teachers all over the world, each with their own unique style. Once you have these foundations down, you will likely gravitate towards the teachers whose style speaks to you.
Our 3-hour course begins with a brief safety orientation, followed by some technical exercises designed to both wake up our hands and begin developing muscle memory and the understanding of how this material behaves as it’s heated and cooled, along with its interaction with spin and gravity. These are the critical skills needed to shape anything with molten glass. The instructor will demo, then students practice with guidance, demo, then practice, etc.
Once these basics are established, the students can browse a range of bead design samples and steer the remainder of the instruction, based on which techniques they’re interested in pursuing. We’ll also cover other essentials like proper annealing (controlled cooling), safely removing beads from the mandrel, and finishing your creations.
The number of beads each student ends up with depends on many factors, but is typically around 4-6 total. These factors include how accepting the student is of imperfections, the complexity of their design goals, the ease with which they pick up these niche skills, and to some degree, even luck. Some amount of completely failed beads should be expected, especially if this is your first class. You’ll likely have a good class if your focus isn’t so much on productivity, but on the quality of your learning experience and having a deeper appreciation for this craft. Remember, this course is mainly about gaining understanding. If you walk away with lots of cool shiny things you can show off, that’s the icing on the cake.
Since beads must cool overnight in the kiln, your instructor will take care of the finishing process for you, and your completed glass beads will be ready for pickup the following business day, typically after 2pm.
Classes in the flameshop are not BYOB and cannot offer catering due to limited space and constant attention required by the participant at their individual workstation. If you have long hair, please bring a hair tie or clip.
Price: $250 per student (All glass and tools included)
Student Requirements: Age 18+, Closed-toe shoes, Natural fiber clothing, Humility
Our glassblowing classes are designed for those aged 18+. Those who show up for class and are not of age, forfeit payment.