what path to take for learning

[cezerpringle]

Hiya, I have just gotten to the stage where my beads are looking fairly equal and have dimples (by eye), I'm wondering what steps I ought to take to learn this craft... I.e. what should I be practicing? Is there a book you guys suggest which will take me from beginner to fairly profficient.
For example, I'm happy making round beads but with spots etc. I tend not to be exact and the spots end up unequal... I want to spend time practicing on stuff that will make me a better lampworker.
Thanks
Ceri

[cezerpringle]

Sorry, don't get me wrong, I know it will take years to be good and will be hard, I'm just looking for the best path into becoming better. Unfortunately can't really afford lessons

[Billie]

Do you have any books at all?  There are a couple of "bibles"   that will be suggested time and time again - Passing the Flame by Corina Tettinger, Making Glass Beads by Cindy Jenkins (think I've got the title of the latter one right) amongst others.  Then of course there are RedHotSal's DVD's, and also YouTube.  Alternatively, you could see if you could find  a tutor locally, or within reasonable travelling distance - Sooz at The Bead Shed in Carlisle was offering sessions by the hour I think, rather than a full day.  Depends on your budget, and your preferred method of learning  

[Mary]

I'd take a look at the tutorial section here, there are loads of links to free tutorials. I'd try everything, but don't expect to be good at all of it. I'm still rubbish at dots, but good at stringer work and other things. You'll find what you like and what you are good at.

If you can get books, I'd heartily second Passing the Flame. It's not cheap, but it's got all the basic techniques clearly explained. I also like Kimberley Adams' book, some different stuff in there, like enamels and murrini.

[AnnaSpanna]

Passing the flame has helped me beyond belief. I was using my mum's copy but have now invested in my own and it is well worth it (it also teaches you ways of putting dots on equally).

[noora]

I've taught myself from books (mainly Passing the Flame) and when I have specific questions that aren't answered in the books I check this forum :-) Apart from that it's a lot about practice. My approach is to start practicing some technique, for example dots. When I've done a few beads I usually have an idea of what I think is difficult. Then I go and look it up in the books, on forums or on YouTube to see if I can find any hints on what I'm doing wrong. Then I try again. I go over the process of trying - looking for hints - trying - looking for hints until I've figured it out or until I get too bored and want to try some other technique :-)

[Sulis (Hazel)]

Also if you can get to Flame Off, that is a FABULOUS resource. For th cost of the ticket you get loads of demos for free plus lots and lots of chats with likeminded people. Very, very good value for money.

Good luck!

Hazel  xx

[Krysia@No98]

Last year I came to the flame off about 4 weeks after first lighting my torch and WOW what an eye opener.  Julie and Denton talked a lot about hot and cold connections between glass or Punties

ie

join two hot bits of glass and they will melt together

join a relatively cold bit of glass to some hotter slightly melty glass you can use the cold glass to manipulate the slightly melty glass and should then be able to 'break' the cold glass of quite cleanly.

That in it's self has helped me so much!

[Sulis (Hazel)]

It's SO good to see things in action rather than just read them if it's at all possible. I realise it's not possible for all, but just to see exactly where in the flame something is done - or how long to hold something out of the flame for - or how to hold the mandrel while applying dots - so many little things like this can save hours and days and even weeks of trial and error.

If you can't get to Flame Off, try to attend a gathering in your area - there seem to be more and more these days, for example the one nearest me is in Hampshire, is free and has demos. Feel free to ask questions, read as much as you possibly can in the tutorials here and have a look at You Tube, which has some wonderful demos on there too.

Remember, try to search for your answer first in the search function here on the forum, and if you cannot find an answer - please don't be shy to ask! No question is a dumb question. There are so many lovely people here who are really experienced and very generous with their time and knowledge.

  Hazel   xx

[Lush!]

I was just gonna say what Hazel said about get-togethers.  Where do you live?  Regional GBUK meet ups are getting off the ground nicely - and there's lots of informal "parties" at FHers houses 

[Krysia@No98]

I found this yesterday

http://www.ehow.com/video_4941728_making-round-glass-bead.html?cp=1&pid=1

there are loads there.

[madpup]

my main teacher has been youtube followed closely by free tuts

[ScarletLeonard]

That e how series was great I just watched it and learnt loads.
found a few things I was doing slightly wrong so will be correcting that tonight.

Scarlet xx

[Krysia@No98]

good good 

[Redkite]

I find I take it in turns to learn a bit by book, then need a lesson or demo. There is a good series by Deanna Griffin Dove, including a book specifically about dots "dot, dot, dots!". She also has one on encasing "Encase it!" that I found helpful too. Other than that, Passing the Flame is my bible!