Heather Does the Twist and You Can Too!

In all honesty, I can not attest for teacher and glass beadmaker Heather Trimlett's ability to perform that famous retro dance from the 60's, but I can tell you she is an expert when it comes to twisting molten glass into gorgeous, symmetrical non-dog-boned lengths.  I don't know about you, but I'm a bit jealous.  

Well, we're in luck.  Heather has an awesome Twist tutorial that is available on her website, www.HeatherTrimlett.com.  And just like her classes, it is beautifully done, thorough, easy to  understand and filled with lots of extras like tips, step by step clear photos, FAQ's and even a supply list with photos.  

And if you are very experienced, it's a nice refresher course with probably a little new info and reminders.  I love her photos of her variety of filigrana applications- showing me what happens when you apply multiples.  Now of course I will not share my copy with others, but I know some of her hints will probably creep into my classes for private students.  I've taken two classes with Heather (in person) and loved her teaching style.  You can almost see the lightbulbs going off as she's showing and explaining her techniques.

So not only does Heather has this marvelous tutorial but I found that she has others too.  I don't know how I had missed them before, but three others are available as well.  "Foundations, Foundations, Foundations" (no tummy control, but great glass flamework basics), "Dots!" and "Bumps!"  Classic, techniques used in our beadmaking.  Sweet.

So don't expect dancing on these downloads, but do expect high quality, excellent information.  Hope you take a few minutes and check them out.

Kandice Seeber's Glass Tutorials

You know, I've been a fan of Kandice Seeber and her beadmaking for a long time. Her website with Kimberly Affleck, http://www.coloraddiction.com, contains their tutorials, and her personal website, http://www.lampwork.com has her own items. ( I really like her blog, too.

Recently, I saw that she has added tutorials to her Etsy website, air & earth designs, so I started cruising through and liked what I saw. "Decorating with Stringer", "Pearly Pink Floral Rounds", "Making Encased Floral Beads", "Making Simple Raised Flower Beads", "Glass Color Families: Pinks" and "Making Encased Stripe Beads" were the titles I found, and if the others are anything like the one I chose, (encased floral rounds), you're in for a great time.

I really like that the tutorial is complete. It has wonderfully clear photos that are large. With my middle age vision, I can still see it all. And the explanations and details have everything and more, that I thought would be included.

Kandice tells you what should happen, and the contingencies, if it doesn't. She explains fully what you should do, and how to do it and even what not to do. I like that. Leaves no room for guessing.

So my suggestion is that you check out her Etsy shop and the tutorials in it. She says that they are made for "Novices & Intermediates", but old hands like me, just might enjoy them too.

See you tomorrow...

Ayose Tutorial Directory- Lampwork Glass

If you haven't had a chance to stop by Lina Khan's lampwork tutorial website, you're missing out.

Open to tutorial authors, for pay or free, you are allowed to submit as many listings as you have tutorials and it's free to post your data.

So tell me, do you have favorite tutorials? I'd love to know which ones.

Silver Glass Class 2

I've got so much to tell you from my glass class by Julie Ferguson. I can't tell you exactly what she teaches, but there sure are some basic tips, that seem fair to share.

My first one is to make some sample beads or in Julie's case, leaves of the different types of glass. I photographed these in some pretty poor light, (that's aluminum underneath them, so you know the color is off), but you get the idea.

I loved being able to see one variation of the glass that I was going to try. It seems like it changes pretty easily, depending on what the conditions are, how you treat it and what glass it is next to, but this is it in its pure form. And you know, a tiny spacer, (trying to be cost effective) wouldn't do it for me. I'd definitely go a little larger.

And another tip is to label them carefully. I learned that some glass companies change the formula and so knowing the name of the glass and the date can be important. If you're a newbie like me, keep careful records. I had no idea.

As a total newbie, I was a little wary about silver glass. Not that I thought it would hurt me, but I didn't want to waste any financial investment that I made to try it. I am a hands on type learner. There are some great tutorials and information on the internet- but for me, there's nothing like actually trying it and seeing what it does in person. If you buy a tutorial, I own the one that was compiled from the LE group. It has a lot of resources and information that is quite handy.

I found that I had some personal favorites. I'll talk about them later and a few more little bits that I learned from my hands-on experience. But for now, it's your turn to dig out your hoarded silver glass that you haven't tried and at least make a paddle of the type of glass and label it. I know that's what I'm going to do.

See you tomorrow with more glass chat,
Marcy

Mini Tutorial- Making Mushrooms by Marcy Lamberson

Mushrooms traditionally add a bit of fancy to

to an owners collection, or wardrobe. Often I think of them being appreciated by people who enjoy fairies, and small woodland type vignettes.
I just happen to be one of those people and perhaps you are too. If so, here's a very simple mini tutorial for you, so you can make your own.

Marcy's Magic Mushrooms
(Okay, I grew up in the 60's and they aren't that type, but it sounds good.)

Supplies
Glass: Light 

ivory, white stringer and color for mushroom cap. Most often it's red.
Tools: marver (I prefer a brass Stump Shaper, but any marver will do.)
Directions:
1. I work on a 1/16th mandrel, but 3/32 would be just fine also. Starting at the end closest to the hand holding the mandrel, start winding your light ivory into a chubby donut shape.

2. Marver your donut into a stem shape similar to a cone without a sharp point. Keep that end nice and wide to attach the cap, but make it smaller than the base end.

3. Pat yourself on the back.
4. Using your mushroom cap color, make a small donut with about 3 wraps around the mandrel directly next to the smaller end of the stem. This makes sure that your mushroom cap will be smooth at the mandrel. Turn your hand holding the mandrel and point the flame directly at the top of the donut, so it gets warm and smooths out.
5. Gently marver it on a slight angle to slightly spread it out and smooth some more. Please note, depending on how pointed you want your mushroom cap, this is where you decide. Use a sharper angle marvering it, if you want a more pointed cap. If you happen to marver it too much and your glass gets too thin at the top, just sparingly add a few more dots of glass around the top of it and gently melt in and marver again- g e n t l y and not too hot.

6. Now, you should have a band of color for the start of the cap. Heat your rod of the same color and the rim of the small cap and point your flame where the two meet as you apply more glass in circles, widening your mushroom cap. It's like making a disk on a slight angle or a half of a hollow bead. Every couple of wraps, be sure to keep your mushroom warm.
7. Aren't you happy that you didn't make the top of the stem too thin? Because you need this top of the stem to help support your cap and make it more secure and easier to marver. Whoops, that's the next step.

8. Once you have enough mushroom cap on, then you can gently heat and marver it smooth. It will slightly contract and that's okay, because you know how to add more glass. I think getting a nice, smooth cap is more important. Once you have it the way you like it, there's just one more step.

9. Add your white dots. Sparingly. A few seem to work the best. Melt them in gently and marver if necessary. But not too hard, because then they aren't as opaque. Finish fire polishing your mushroom and pop it into the kiln. Or...

10. On my green mushroom below, I added a little bit of sparkle.

 A light pixie dust, (goes with fairy objects after all) or even a few little thin green stringer strands of glass grass on the base of the mushroom stem can add a touch of detail to make it more special.

11. Pat yourself on the back one more time. Enjoy!

Beaders Showcase, Have You Joined Yet?

Have you checked out Beaders Showcase yet?
http://www.BeadersShowcase.com
(You can click on the photo to enlarge the view.)

I joined last week. It is one of the growing websites that mixes all kinds beads, beadmakers, bead stringers, and everyone else in between.

This type of website to me is very helpful. I like to see what everyone is making. (and admire it) But not just to think it's pretty, but also because it also shows me trends in what jewelry makers are doing and gives me inspiration for some of my beads that I make. This website also has a lot of international members. Seeing what is done in other countries broadens my knowledge base, but also is just plain old fascinating to me too.

And who can resist a website that features video tutorials? Oh my, I'll be in heaven. For as much as I love the written word, to me, I love seeing how something is done. I hope a lot of people add more to the website's library.

Here's a screenshot of half of the home page to give you an idea of what they're about. This global website is not about marketing your work. It's about showcasing what you have and sharing with others. It's run by Jeff Pritchard and his wife, and the members even have an area for voting for planned changes. So you have a say in its direction too. Stop by for a visit and check it out.

Happy weekend to you,
Marcy