Where Do I Start?!

[claireybear]

Hello 

I have been longing to take up lampworking (and possibly other types of glass art) as a hobby for ages, and I dont think I can wait much longer, I am desparate to have a go!

I am too shy to go to a course on my own (plus there dont seem to be any near me), so I was wondering how easy it would be to just take the plunge and have a play by myself?

Obviously it would be quite expensive - any thoughts on how much it costs to start up, taking into account a small kiln etc?

I would really appreciate any advoce, recommendations for books / websites I could investigate etc.

Thanks in advance!

Claire

PS you all create such stunning beads, Ive had to drag myself away from the gallery!

[MyPrecious]

I am completely self taught and don't regret it. It's not easy at the beginning but as long as you have read loads of tutorials and maybe some books before, you should be fine.

I highly recommend Passing the Flame if you want to teach yourself to make beads. Also, there are loads of tutorials on this website you can look at.

[Billie]

Why don't you invest in Sally Sarvers Beginners DVD as a first step...?

http://www.lampworkbeads.co.uk/userimages/procart4.htm

It includes

"Learn how to set up your own equipment and make lampwork glass beads with my own DVD. Vol I takes you through all aspects of gas and equipment choice and setting up, and demonstrates bead making using both the Hothead torch and Minor Burner torch.

Learn the basics of setting up the equipment for making lampwork glass beads and how to make glass beads with Sally Carver, also known as RedHotSal. This DVD takes you through the techniques of this unique and fascinating craft in real time so that you can see everything in the tutorials clearly and easily.

Contents:

Clothing and Eyewear
Torch Types
Gas connections and Leak Detection
Lighting the Hothead
Lighting the Minor Burner
Tools and Equipment
Kilns and Annealing
Making our first bead
Making a cylinder bead
Stringers and Twisties
Applying decoration
Trouble Shooting"

[Cecilia]

I am mostly self taught, I had a starter 2 hour session at Tuffnels which is the closest to me - where are you? you may be surprised there seem to be glassy people lurking all around.

This is a good place to start, there is a wealth of knowledge here and everyone is very friendly and happy to share.

There seems to be more and more on the internet for free now, google for tutorials, loads are on you tube now.

Good luck

X

[Soozintheshed]

I'm self taught too, although have had a few lessons since to polish up my knowledge.

I just bought a hot head and a book, and off I went.  Those first beads are scarey !

[jammie]

Def Sals dvds couldn't have set up so easy without them.... and all the rest thats in them. I dont think I could have started without watching someone first and having a go to see how everything happened, this was the best way for me but then, I didn't want to invest in all the gubbins till I did that, but then I know loads of people have started off all on their ownsome too. There is so much good advice on here. I kind of started reading up on each step as I came to it or it would've been like information overload and I would have missed a lot, so I would do a search on glass for instance then reactions, etc. The forum is just brilliant though!  

[Krysia@No98]

I would say get the books and the DVD.  You can get a start kit from Tuffnells and from Off Mandrel, this will be a hot head torch.  Off the top of my head with out checking your basic kit on mapp gas would be about 100 and that includes glass but doe not include the kiln or ventilation.

Realistically you want to get onto a bulk set up as soon as poss.  This will save you hundreds on gas and will mean that you can play for longer.  The set up for that is about £130.  It is well worth the money.

Next I would get ventilation sorted out.  I know it doesn't seem it but this is bloomin important for your health.  Mine cost 150ish, you can get it cheaper though if you get a second hand cooker hood (You need to get one with an tube to take out the bad air) Freecycle might be a good.

Lastly would be your kiln.  In the short term you can get a fire blanket, vermiculite or annealing bubbles to cool down you're beads.  There is a thread on here where you can ask people to anneal you beads.  You just need to ask nicely and make sure that you put enough stamps in to cover the postage back.  It's up to you but you can always include some chocolate.

You really need to think about what you want to use your kiln for before you buy it.  It is going to be your biggest expense until you decide to change your torch.  I wanted to use mine at some point for ceramics and silver clay so I got a paragon SC2.  Other people only want their for beads and they have got bead cubes.  Really you need to read through all the threads on the kiln section before you decide.  Prices last time I looked started at £430

Lastly but most importantly find a good burn cream 

Where abouts in the country are you?

[ARBeads]

Tuffnells are at Newbury race course this Sunday - not sure if they're doing taster sessions, but well worth the trip to pick there brains.
Lots of lovely glass and tools and always willing to help.

Welcome to the glassy side - it's very addictive 

Ruth

[Krysia@No98]

I was at a race course bead fair when I decided that this was the thing for me.  I asked Martin when the next demo was and he started there and then just for me 

[sarah t]

julie (lush) is having a uk  bead gathering in malvern on the 31 july ...you would be more than welcome ...you can meet some fab people and there will be a torch set up ...well worth considering

http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=21646.0

[♥♥Tan♥♥]

I am completely self taught too Claire. You can buy a nice little set up kit with everything you need from Tuffnells or Off Mandrel, both of which advertise on here. There are lots of videos on you tube, loads of hints and tips and tutorials on here. Great books on the market as well as dvd's.

How would you feel most comfortable learning?

Not forgetting that there is a wealth of knowledge just waiting to pour out if you come in and ask the questions

[flowerjasper]

i think a lot of us just took the plunge, with a hothead and a book or two,
passing the flame is fab but expensive, i had cindy jenkins making glass beads.

just post up where you are and i am sure there will be someone nearish by who would help,
sandy

[claireybear]

Oh wow, lots of good ideas and Im so pleased that some of you "experts" have managed to teach yourselves!

Im in Abingdon (Oxfordshire) and dont drive so cant get to the Newbury fair, which is a shame because it would have been fab to have seen a demo (and maybe taken the plunge and treated myself to some supplies!)

Thanks for your help all of you, im off to google the books and dvds you suggested!

Claire

[Krysia@No98]

I don't drive either.  I generally go into london for the fairs there apart from the flame off.  If that was in the middle of hell I'd still go.  And we will expect you to be there too 

The next one in kempston is in september I think, the race course has it's own train station and the walk from the train station is round the outside of the course.  September the 5th

Thought I am thinking that I might skip that one and go to the London bead fair on the 19th I think.

God Stupid ME, I have just remembered there is an Art in Action thing going on in/near Oxford in three weekend time!!  Here you go http://www.artinaction.org.uk/  A lady called Sarah Hornick is going to be there (http://www.glassbysarah.com/).  She does the most lovely beads on a hot head with mapp gas.  I really wanted to go but I am going to be at a wedding that weekend.  My Mum's neighbour who is a good arty friend is really getting into embroidery so I wanted to go with her coz they are going to be doing that to among other things.

Then there is also the big bead show on the last weekend of october.

I have learned loads from watching other people and Sarah is one of the first people I saw doing a demo

[Vicki]

I just took the plunge with a minor torch, check out the videos on you tube