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Here
are the links to some pages I created for a few of my
students, to show off the beads they made in class.
Unfortunately, it is time consuming to put together
these pages, so I don't do them for every student...
It's pretty much hit or miss, depending on whether I
have the time after class, and remember to take pictures
when the students are here! Here are some of the pages
I did create, to give you an idea of the types of beads
that beginners can make in a two day class. (Oh,
and an intermediate class thrown in, for luck)
I think it is inspiring to see the wonderful beads that
can be made when you have determination, patience, a
positive attitude, and, well.... good instruction. It's
fun, too, to see that there are as many different kinds
of beadmakers as there are styles of beads! Of
course, it's always fun to read about other beadmakers,
isn't it? (One of the common traits of beadmakers is
that they are usually insatiably curious...) |
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One of my students offered to write a review of Beginning
Beadmaking from a student's perspective.
Here's what Brenda says:
I have just completed a
two day beginner's class with Ann, and have
come away feeling like I can become a beadmaker.
Ann is organized, thorough, and enthusiastic
about teaching. Her class flows naturally
from the use of equipment to hands on bead
making. She guides you through all of the
steps from heating the glass to placing the
bead in the kiln.
We covered
encasing beads, making latticino and stringer,
using goldstone, creating poked eye beads,
dots, swirls, and fish, plus lots of other
needed information. We talked about different
types of glass and tools, safety issues and
how to avoid stress cracks in beads. All of
this plus a great lunch. I don't think Ann
charges enough for her time, and I especially
appreciated her patience.
Thanks Ann,
for a wonderful experience!!
Brenda Ziemian
Ocean Grove, NJ
May, 2001
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And
here are some of Brenda's beautiful beads from
day two of beginning beadmaking.
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From
left to right:
feathering, poked bubbles, encased millefiore,
latticino and goldstone |
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Recently,
I did three days of Intermediate
instruction with Sharon Younkers, of Redding, California.
She offered to give her perspective on the benefits of
intermediate instruction:
"After a year of frustration
with my bead making, since I perceive myself
as a slow learner, I decided I needed some one-on-one
teaching. I just spent 3 days over the Labor
Day weekend with Ann "Schermo" and
WOW what a great experience. Ann met all of
my expectations and more.
Day one we dedicated to shaping the bead, heat
control, reading the glass, moving the glass,
stringer - all of the basics I had been attempting
on my own by reading the WC! forum, Corina's
book, and some videos. The personal attention
made all of the difference. Found out I was
holding my hands in an awkward position and
too far out on the mandrel. I still tend to
drift back to old ways, but today I am putting
a stopper on the end of my mandrel, so when
I feel it, I will move back in. It makes such
a big difference.
Day two we did frit, powders, and dichro. I
always burned my dichro, but I now have a very
sparkly bead I love. Can't wait to try it on
my own, but I now have the confidence it will
be beautiful. Day three we made hollows and
vessels. I had never even tried these before.
What fun they are.
I loved the way Ann would explain each move
she made as she was demonstrating a bead. I
actually felt like I could do it when it was
my turn. Ann is a great cheer leader. She has
sucessfuly turned my negative attitude into
an "I can do this" attitude. I want
to thank Ann for her patient teaching and encouragement.
You have to be a great teacher to take this
ugly duckling and make her feel like a swan."
Sharon Younkers
Redding, CA
September , 2004
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Here
is the page I created to showcase Sharon's beads
from her class:
Sharon's
Journey |
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