Hi everyone,

I 'm new to the forum and love everyones work,you are all so very talented.I have a question about learning how to make lampwork beads.My friend and I  have finally saved up enough money  to start getting the supplies.It has been a dream of ours to learn for years now. My question, is it better to take a class or get the DVDs and teach ourselves We have both self taught our beading and other crafts but this is something that is not to be taken lightly. Can any of you shed some light on this subject for us. Thanks !

Taking a flameworking workshop will pay for itself. You will learn so much more in a workshop versus a video because it is so hands on. You will learn about the make up of glass, techniques, and overall knowledge gained from the instructor and watching others. On top of that there are huge safety issues to be concerned with and most basic video classes don't cover that.

 Find a glass studio near you or spend the extra money to travel to a location to learn. After that learning via dvd's, videos, etc can be done, because you will practice more and more on that technique. Even if you learn or start on your own get into a workshop to gain more knowledge.

 Flameworking is not like following instructions to make a bracelet. You don't learn the steps and you a can repeat making that same bracelet over and over. Flameworking takes practice, practice, and more practice. You can learn how to make a bracelet in one hour and look like a pro, but flameworking takes many hours, 50-100-250 hrs or more to get to levels that are good enough to sell or be like Larry Brickman, Margaret Zinser, Andrew Brown, Larry Scott, Harold Cooney and so many others.

 Good luck! Glass is an awesome thing to work with.

 Scott

Hi scott,

Thank You for all the info,It has given me a lot to think about.I think you are so right,a class would be the better way to go.My friend and husband vote for theDVD. I think your answer might help me sway them into going for classes.

Thank's April

I think a combination of learning techniques is the way to go. The occassional class, dvd's, hanging out at lampworketc.com, You Tube, articles in The Flow or Glassline (magazines about hot glass), books written by and for lampworkers and just simple trial and error. You can never go wrong with getting information from a variety sources to increase knowledge base. Everyone has a little bit different way of learning and by utilizing many avenues you might hone in on your particular style.

 Thank you for your reply.You do make a lot of very good points.I will be taking a class in August,and will try to soak up all I can before and after the class.I 'm excited ,but nervous at the same time.I see you just joined as I have so here is a big hello and welcome to the forum.Thanks again for all the great advise.Bead-Dazzled

I'd like to throw my 2 cents in as well, if I may: The presence of a patient instructor to help guide the way can open doors more quickly than anything else. Don't get me wrong; The Student still has to do the work (One of life's great equalizers is that we all have to pay our dues when learning, and there is nothing more deeply satisfying then having done so in the end) but an experienced helping hand can cut months and years off the process. 

I've been a full-time beadmaker for a number of years now and I must say that it took me years to finally decode some of the beadmaking basics that I can now pass on to students in minutes. It is a very different thing to read about a process in a book or online, than to have that same process demonstrated to you. There's nothing like watching someone do it and having one of those "Oh...! I get it!" moments and sitting down at the torch and actually doing it!

When considering taking a beadmaking course please bear in mind that you don't really learn how to make beads in that initial course, whether it be at my studio or someone else's. Certainly you will come away with beads you yourself made, and that is something to be proud of. However, the most important aspect of a beginners beadmaking course is that it will give you a basic understanding of the process and allow you to better determine whether or not you want to continue studying this ancient craft. Either way, it's an investment in yourself and in your future.

A good course is equal to a good foundation, a good stating point. from there you can properly teach yourself how to make beads. :)

Thank You ,Scott,Glasgal & BeadedLily for all the great input.I have been looking for a glass and have found some that are private lessons.I intend to take the class and also soak up all the books,dvds etc I can find. My dad was a glass blower.He passed when I was about one so I could not have him teach me about any type of glass work. I was told he was very good, I hope it runs in the family. Thanks again. You all have helped me so very much.I hope I can post a nice looking glass lampwork piece some time in the next year.

 BeadDazzled