Creative Beading

“Lampworking”, Glass Bead Making Lessons?

I have wanted to learn to do this for many years. I love crafts and especially enjoy creating things. I think this would be a perfect hobby for me, especially since I enjoy jewelry making. However, I live in an area where there is little education available. No classes are available to me. I have been researching and watching videos on the internet and plan to visit my local library to check on videos and books, but I was wondering if anyone could recommend any helpful books or videos for a beginner that might cover all I need to know in order to begin. Thanks!

I would recommend 2 things.

First, get involved (or at least lurk) on some of the lampworking forums online. There is scads of information, tutorials, sometimes even videos, and people who are passionate about lampworking and willing to help out newcomers to the craft. These are the top 4 that I know:

1. Wet Canvas

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=89

2. Lampwork ETC

http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/

3. International Society of Glass Beadmakers

http://www.isgb.org/forum/

4. Hot Glass Forum

http://www.glassline.net/forums/index.php

Second, try to find someone that can teach you. I know that you said there were no classes in your area, but there may be a lampworker nearby. I am not sure where you live, but if there are any bead, craft, art, or glass stores around, you might talk to the managers and see if they know of anyone nearby who practices lampworking. Someone may be willing to give you a one-on-one lesson, even if they don’t “teach.”

Also do an internet search for your region and lampworkers (for me midwest AND lampworker OR lampworking) to find any regional guilds or societies. They may be able to point you to someone that lives reasonably close to you.

I had my first lesson when I discovered I lived fairly near someone I met on an online forum. I asked if she would be willing to give me a lesson. She agreed and I gave her a lesson in metal clay in exchange. A great weekend all around:)

Lampworking really is one of those things that is best done the first time with someone who knows what they are doing. Although this may apply more to really uncoordinated people like me. I found it really helpful to have someone on hand to notice when I’d Stopped doing something I was supposed to be doing! (Don’t forget to keep turning the mandrel, Megan. Now turn that a little faster – not that fast…)

You’ll be OK with books and videos, but if you can find someone that can help you out the first time, you’ll benefit a lot from it.

Best of luck in your new craft!

Jewelry Making Video – Snowflake Pendant

The Absolute Beginners Guide: Stringing Beaded Jewelry $19.95 Learn the basics of making beautiful jewelry! This video class is a friendly and thorough demonstration of some of the most common skills you ll need. Presented by Karin Buckingham, author of three books on crafting and jewelry making, and former associate editor of BeadStyle magazine.This DVD covers: Materials & tools: Find out what you need to get started, from flexible beading wire and crimp tu…

Beading Basics Vol. 1 $29.50 Learn the fundamentals of beading and create your own jewelry with this comprehensive DVD. See how basic techniques used in earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are created through clear explanations illustrated with numerous close-ups. With examples to guide you and advice along the way, even the most “craft-challenged” person will be beading in no time….

Beginner Beading …

Stitch Workshop: Peyote Stitch: Basic Techniques, Advanced Results $10.94 This book is the first in our Stitch Workshop series. This book will concentrate solely on peyote stitch, explaining the basics of that stitch in detail and supplying plenty of projects for beaders to practice with. With 28 peyote stitch projects organized from beginner to advanced, this book has a wide audience for those who are just learning the stitch and those who are looking for more proj…

The Basics of Bead Stringing: A Complete Illustrated Approach for Beginner and Advanced Designers $7.45 The Basics of Bead Stringing, a long time best selling book on the art of creating professional-looking jewelry, has just undergone a complete revision. The new edition includes the latest tips and materials affecting the bead stringing craft. Traditional and contemporary techniques on multi-strand projects, knotted strands and wire wrapping are just a few of the highlighted features. Easy to unde…

Beginner’s Guide to Bead Netting $11.06 In this colorful and inspiring book, Madeleine Rollason shows you how to produce beautiful and imaginative designs using bead netting. All the stitches and basic techniques are explained using clear, step-by-step photographs, and the eight easy-to-follow projects enable you to put your skills into practice and make gorgeous purses, jewellery and other items of your own….