Sunday 14 September 2008

Glass bead making

After much anticipation, yesterday I finnally had my workshop on learning how to make glass beads. I was so excited...I really wanted to learn. I have always wanted to learn to work with glass but because of how expensive it is and also the fact that you need to have your own place -atelier- without kids running around or possibilities or burning/hurting someone...it gets difficult. I only got to learn the basics of making vitreaux and managed to make a small window in blues and red for the small bathroom.
But anyway, glass beads. This was a full day workshop at the same Atelier where I learn ceramics. Maud, my teacher, is a woman of many trades! She explained how things work, showed us how it was done, how your ellbows have to go, the glass, the mandrile (the metalic stick onto which the melting glass is rolled ti make a bead), the fire...and there I went. it is so difficult! I have a renewed respect for all those artisans that make beads! having a round, smooth bead requires lots of practise (more than a day). I guess like with many crafts, you have to get a fel of the materials. At the end of the day, after around15 beads, I managed a really nice round bead...sort of.
With the torch burning in front of you, and the noise it makes, you cant really chit chat with other people, so you are concentrated in your own work chossing colors and...trying not to drop melting hot red glass on your hand or get burned.
I liked also the surprise element... I guess this has to do with my newbie rank. When glass is red hot...it is like that...red.... regardless of the original color. Well, some don't get red...but most of them do. So you can add little dots and things here and there but if you dont remember well what you are doing, you can't really tell which color you used where...it's all red...

Anyway, really nice. I highly recommend a workshop like this...and here, my creations...


Now I wish I could have the money to invest in getting all the supplies and for an atelier or even small room where I could work... *sigh* Some day.

5 comments:

gunnelsvensson said...

These beads are wonderful! I want to do that bead too ! I just have beginn to PMC - "silverclay" and it´s so fun. And now I want to learn me to do that beads too :-)

Lily Pang said...

You made such wonderful beads at first time. My god! They are so nice.

I'd love to learn it too.

'fancypicnic' said...

Just saw these over on flickr, Marian - they're fantastic!! Perfect! Do they need to be perfectly round? The beauty is in the uniqueness, after all. Terrific - well done you xx

Mariana said...

Gunnels: i want to have a try at silver clay! i see what Ruth from Birdlands makes (she has shops in DaWanda and Etsy) and it's so pretty and fun!
Lily... if youc an find a place around where they teach, try! It is so much fun! Hours pass by and you are concentrated on the beads.
Charlotte, I actually like them all quirky and uneven... naturally people who are really good at these can make both... super neat and funny looking ones... They arent perfect but I really like them. I will use them for some project ... thinking about it!

Thanks everyone!

Ruth said...

I love your new beads! The colours are just so vibrant. Sounds like - and looks like you had a busy day. A woman of so many talents...and adding more by the day! And yes, try metal clay next! I'll give you lots of hints....