Beginning Glass Beadmaking

using a torch

The enlarged bead, shown above, shows the different effects that can be learned in our bead making workshop. Including Gold foil, latticinos, stringers and clear encasing.

In this workshop, you will learn how to turn glass rods into beautiful beads

One of our Instructors, Shannon Kindle.

Some things we do in this workshop

Two day Saturday and or Sunday workshop

Basic information on Saturday, more information on Sunday.

Shaping beads, rounds, cylinders, flatten, bicone, etc
Decorating Beads
- dots and drags
- feathering
- wrapped spirals (Latticinos)
Workshop information
- safety
- equipment, torches, kilns: differences, setup and usage
Color techniques
- using colored glass rods
- using luster powers
- using enamels

Another great thing about this workshop is that you can try out a variety of torches.
We are always asked "what is the best torch"? Well come try them out in class.
The surface mix torches you can try out are:
Minor Burner - what is at every students work station
Mega Minor by Nortel
Midrange Burner by Nortel
Red Max by Nortel
Lynx by Glass Torch Technology
Cheetah by Glass Torch Technology
8M with a variety of tips by National
Betta by Bethlehem

Our classroom and equipment

Our classroom and workshop area has perhaps the latest and most complete setup available anywhere. Each student has a well lit comfortable work area with plenty of room for working. We have natural and artificial lighting. Each student has their own Minor Bench Burner, annealing kiln and all of the latest tools. Most important in a workshop like this, is ventilation. With so many torches going at the same time, the quality of the air quickly becomes heavy: Inducing headaches, difficult breathing and fatigue. Even one torch could cause this. Our area at Sundance has excellent ventilation keeping the air fresh.

A note about temperature. Because of the need of fresh air, the temperature of the work area will be the same as the temperature outside. California has pretty mild temperatures but occasionally it could be cold or warm depending on the season. Please bring clothing for warm and cold temperature.

Click Here to see a QuickTime Movie of one of our Instructors

Click here to see this class and our beautiful teaching studio.

A note from Brian, the owner of Sundance:
I remember taking a Glass Beadmaking Workshop many years ago in a well known teaching studio in the Oakland, CA from the biggest name lampworker. It was terrible. It was dirty, cramped, and they stuck me at the end of a table on a rickety short stool with no elbow room. It was so cramped that the instructor couldn't reach me except for once during the entire 2 day workshop! The class started an hour and a half late because they didn't have the torch equipment set up ahead of time. Not only that, but I was taking the workshop with some pretty now famous people, a click group. So much for any attention for me. So much for my $900 fee! But I did have the best lighting, only because I was the closest to the grimy window. I've been told it hasn't changed. Actually I was glad for that experience. I was determined not to expose my students to that type of atmosphere in my teaching studio! Our classroom and workshop area has the latest and most complete setup available. We have natural lighting and a vent to keep the air fresh. Each student learns on the oxygen/propane Minor Bench Burner Torch with annealing kilns and all of the latest tools. All equipment and tools are included. You will be guaranteed a well lit, ventilated workspace with plenty of elbow room and at half the price! And EVERYBODY gets and plenty of attention and the best instruction! Most of our students are from out of town. There are nice affordable accommodations close by. We can shuttle you from and to the San Jose Airport and close by Motels.

See what Judy made in the class.

Other workshop information

Sundance provides:

Space
Knowledge
Inspiration
Class Materials supplied
Torches, Kilns and Equipment (you can bring any of your own favorite tools if you like)
- Torch & Annealing Kilns (OK to bring your own torch)
- All Basic beadmaking tools

What you provide:

Initiative
Motivation
Artistic Talent
Any other specialized tools - you will have the opportunity to purchase in class

What to wear and bring:

Cotton clothes that cover from the neck to the foot
No open toed shoes (sandals)
No loose clothing (we have a previous students baggy sweater with a big burn hole as a reminder)
No loose hair, tie it back or wear a hat
Bring your favorite sunscreen
Bringing your lunch allows you to be able to work during lunch break.
We have great heating and air conditioning - just bring comfortable clothing.

Tuition:

with Shannon Kindle - $265 - To Be Scheduled
Discount - Sign up with a friend and both of you can take a 15% discount!
Discount - Re-take this same class - You receive a 25% discount if you choose to take the identical class again at a later time - for a refresher course. If you come again and bring a new friend, you can use both discounts - 15% plus 25% is a 40% discount! (your friend would receive the 15% discount)

Location:

Class is at our Paradise CA Studio Location: 1010 Bille Road, Paradise, CA 95969 (Click Here for Google Map) This is different from our main store location. Studio Phone (we are not always there) 530-872-5081
Our main supply store location is also in Paradise, CA at 6052 Foster Road 95969
Main store phone 530-872-3021 (we are always there during business hours)

Reserving your space: We can put your name down, but your spot is reserved only when your tuition is paid.

Class Dates: Call our school at 800-9HOTGLASS

Class Times: In Paradise, California