Question:
I am thinking about expanding my horizons into glass bead making so I
can make beads to go with my clay beads...I haven't found a good place
to buy beads I like to go with my clay beads...
I know Ann Campbell makes glass beads...so Ann..please email me...I
lost your email address with the switch from the old computer.
I also would like any and all tips on getting started with glass bead
making from any of you who know about this...I asked for the book Making
Glass beads for Christmas but I am not finding much other information or
help out there...the craft stores have nothing related to glass bead
making...
Answer:
-You can usually find books and even VIDEOS on lampworking in stained glass
stores and catalogs. I understand some of the best on the subject are written
by Cindy Jenkins. I just saw her book in my Larks Books catalog in fact! I have
been trying my hand at this to.... and it's harder than I expected! YIKES!!!
When you get started the two most important things I can think to tell you
are.... be very careful that the COE measurements of the glass is the SAME,
never mix them or your beads will break... and get yourself a fiber blanket to
cool and anneal your beads in, the vermiculite thing is annoying & messy.
Also there is a really talented lady on aol who's just SOOO very helpful and
I'm sure would love to hear from you on the subject...
- Here in So. California where I live there are several
places that teach glass beadmaking. What a shame there isn't one near
you. But you CAN learn from books, and there are some really good ones
out there. One of the ones that I love is: Making Glass Beads by Cincy
Jenkins. It's a BEAUTIFUL book filled with colored photos as well as
instructions. You'll be amazed at it.
I started my crafting by making glass beads years ago. Back
then, we didn't have the wonderful glass that we have now. We used glass
enamels on a tiny copper tube center. They were lovely beads, but don't
compare with what you can do now. I go through Cindy's book often as
there are a lot of the beads in there that you can simulate in polymer
clay.
Polymer artist, Cynthia Toops and her husband, a glass bead
maker, combine their work for some scrumptious creations!
