Learning
to make Glass Beads
Tina at the Torch !
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This
is Tina,
( AKA: Tina the Swedish Tiger ! )
She came
to my home in April 2001, to learn to make glass beads. Over
the course of three days, we made lots of beads, Tina learned
a lot about glass, the tools and equipment, and both of us had
a lot of fun !
(Yes,
she really is Swedish ! )
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Although
it was a lot of information to learn in just three days, Tina
had read "Making Glass Beads" by Cindy Jenkins, and
she picked it up really fast !
I
always suggest reading this book before taking a beadmaking class,
because it will prepare you for what you are going to be seeing,
doing and will have to remember.
The
more familiar you are with the tools and materials, the easier
it is when you're sitting in front of a flame for the first time
!
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Here
Tina is heating the steel mandrel directly in the flame, and
dipping the glass rod quickly in and out of the flame to start
heating it. You don't want to stick the glass rod directly in
the flame, or it will thermal shock, causing pieces of hot glass
to fly all over the place !
Watch
out for those flying Millefiore,Tina !!
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| As
you can see, Tina had a good time making beads. She was a delightful
and talented student. I feel really honored and humbled to think
that when she returns to Sweden next year, she may well be one
of the first glass beadmakers to bring the renaissance of Handmade
Lampwork beads to Sweden ! |
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