DIY Beads!

Sure BeadFX has tons and tons of pre-made beads, but haven't you ever thought about making your own? I bet that you've lusted over artist-made beads, but aren't you just a little curious about how they're made?

DIY beads come in many different flavours. I've personally experimented with paper, Tyvek (think Fedex envelopes), fabric, threads, epoxy clay (Apoxie Sculpt & Crystal Clay), polymer clay, wool felt, acrylic felt and various types of wire (some successful and some not). My beads have been varnished, glued, baked, wrapped, painted, gilded, mica powdered, heat distressed, coated with resin, soaped up, watered down, and thrown on the ground! The crowning glory of my bead obsession was when I donned full winter gear, pulled on my respirator, and then heat distressed (with a heat gun) some polyester organza beads, on my balcony in -17 C weather. I believe that it was also snowing lightly! Giggle! Am I crazy? Well yeah, my neighbours probably thought so, but I did like the results! I currently teach a paper beads class (shameless self promotion, and my latest is running this Saturday), and have often thought that a collection of other DIY beads would make an interesting day of play. Pssst! Guess who just received a few silicone bead molds (for resin) in the mail? Yeah, more beads for moi! Yummy Tyvek Beads courtesy of Carolyn Saxby of the UK, via Pinterest!

Have you ever drooled over those fabulous handmade glass beads? Did you know that you could also make DIY beads out of glass and various metal clays? Of course it takes some training, but wouldn't it be wonderful to know how to make them yourself? Are you aware that BeadFX has both a Lampwork (glass beads) and Metal Studio, they offer workshops, and you can also rent studio space? No need to kit yourself up with all the expensive equipment, if you just want to give it a wee try! One of these days, I will dip my toes into these new (to me) mediums! But I already do so much, and what if I really, really like them? My sewing machine is already suffering abandonment issues, so what will happen to my other arts & crafts supplies? Beads courtesy of Dragon Jools & Carol Ann Savage! Lampwork beads from a selection of artists (including the two mentioned) are available at the store.

Use Gilders Paste, mica powders and Iced Enamels (all available in the store), to embellish your DIY beads, then make them into a necklace or bracelet. Add more glass, metal, stones, pearls or sparkly crystals, for a knockout fashion statement! Bead or braid a rope, buy some chain, wrap a little wire, or even string your new beads on colourful spagetti leather. The options are endless!!

Beading doesn't always need to be a serious affair. Play around with alternate techniques to make luscious DIY beads, but don't be surprised if you end up with a brand new addiction! Err.....perhaps I should say passion!

Fun, Friendship and Sharing at Happy Hour Torching

The term "Happy Hour" usually refers to a time of pre-dinner cocktails and drinks with friends and co-workers. In BeadFX's case, "Happy Hour Torching" is a gathering of like-minded lampworkers who get together twice a week over a torch and colourful rods of glass. "Happy Hour Torching has been going on for about three years," says Malliga Nathan, BeadFX's Studio Manager. Malliga, a lampworker herself, often joins in on Thursday evenings.

Carol Cooper facilitates Happy Hour Torching and is available to answer questions and give tips and tricks to new lampworkers. "Lampworking is an artform and lampworkers are, by nature, very generous in sharing ideas," explains Carol. "We try to keep the atmosphere welcoming and inclusive. Newbies are always welcome."

Happy Hour Torching sessions are not lessons, so participants must have taken a lampworking course, familiar with all of the safety procedures and the basics of how to create beads using the torch and rods of glass.

Happy Hour Torching takes place Mondays and Thursdays from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. The lampworking studio can accommodate up to 8 people per evening. Best of all, the studio rate is "two for one" - a great way to gain practice time or to create beads for projects. Glass rods are available for purchase or you may bring your own.

The kilns are available for use and the beads will be removed from the mandrels and available for pick-up the next day.

It is always best to call ahead and reserve a torch. To do so, simply call the store at (416) 701-1373 and indicate your interest. A staff member will add you to the roster. If you're in the store, just sign up on the lampworking calendar located just outside the metal studio. Studio cards are available from the store during working hours. A 10-hour minor/mega studio card is $130 (HST included).

Lampwork Beads @ beadFX

Stephanie has been busy organizing all of our artist made lampwork beads. She's set up the display table by artist, and even has everything neatly labeled! The display table looks fabulous, and now it's far more clear as to who made what. :-)  Last weekend,  I snapped some quick shots on my phone, and just uploaded them to Pinterest. We've posted more pics of the beads there. Follow us on Pinterest to keep updated.

A big apology to those of you who shop online - these are only available in the retail store at this time as all of the beads are one of a kind. If you can, the new shop is worth the trip!

Source: Uploaded by user via beadFX on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via beadFX on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via beadFX on Pinterest

Have you ever wondered just where we create our glass beads? Dwyn recently took a picture of our new glass studio.

Source: Uploaded by user via beadFX on Pinterest

Congratulations to Amy Waldman Smith!

Everyone at beadFX is proud of Amy Waldman Smith, one of beadFX's lampwork instructors!

FIRST PLACE WINNER: Bead Dreams 2012 - Lampwork Beads

Cool Blue Ottoman Beads

Amy has been making glass beads since 2001 and was first asked to teach beadmaking in 2003 and has been teaching on a regular basis ever since. Amy’s attention to detail, form and symmetry are the foundations of her work. Intrigued by the possibilities of creating in glass, Amy’s work continues to evolve and change. Amy’s beads have been seen in numerous exhibits across North America and can be found in publications including 1000 Glass Beads, The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking, encase It! and The Flow Magazine. 

 A recent article about Amy in the most recent issue of Hot Glass.

 Keep an eye on the class calendar for upcoming classes with Amy. 

You can also visit her website at www.amywaldmansmith.com to view her teaching schedule.

Looking Forward to Class ... with Jeri Warhaftig

I've signed up for 4 days of classes with Jeri Warhaftig - to be held at the newly re-designed studio at beadFX. As I was the re-designer - I'm looking forward to seeing how well the space is going to work!

A few years ago - ok, quite a few- I think it was 2006 - I bought a bead at auction at the ISGB gathering. I managed to lose the maker's info - but I was pretty darn impressed with the bead. It was - is - I still have it - cobalt blue, iridescent like carnival glass, and with a deeply etched pattern - almost like cut glass. It was hard to believe that it was handmade - the pattern was so crisp and tight and deep. I didn't know about sandblasting beads then - and I couldn't decide if it was carved or etched.

In looking at this bead from Jeri's site - I realize now that it was one of her beads! - and that it was sandblasted. And now I get to take a class with her. How cool is that? (The one I have is very similar to the one pictured! The dark areas in the pattern are actually the sandblasted parts - the glass is cut away there!)



Sandblasting is a process of using a stream of small, rough particles (like - SAND) to carve away part of the bead and leave a textured pattern on the surface. It opens the door to going beyond making beads and gives you many more options to customize your work.  You might also recognize the technique from Diana East's classic beads. There is a really nice video here that gives you some insight as well.

Jean from Nortel Mfg (manufacturer of the Nortel torches, Minor, Mega, Mid-range, etc.) tells me that Jeri is an absolute sweetheart of a teacher - very kind and patient - always good to hear! 


It has meant that the studio bought a whack of equipment for this class - sandblasting cabinet, air compressor, media recovery - so this will add a whole new level to glass beadmaking - as the equipment is not going away, and will be available after. I really want to get my head around how to use the equipment - so that after the class - I can continue to use it and find ways to incorporate it into my own work.

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Jeri is scheduled to teach "Demystifying Dichroic and Conquering Copper" - a two-part class on May 3 and 4th. This class is $425 for the two days, and includes all the glass (including the dichro!!!), etc, that you will require. If you have favorite tools, your own glasses, you are welcome to bring them (I suggest marking them with tape or nail polish or paint to make them easy to i.d.) - but everything is provided.

The second class is on May 5 and 6 - the Saturday and Sunday and is "Sandblasting Lampworked Beads." We are installing a sandblasting unit expressly for this class - but it won't be going away after the class - we will still have it available for use - so unless you want it sitting there while you wished you knew how to use it - I suggest you sign up. This class is $450 - and again - everything you need is included. The description of the class states that you "should be able to make large beads with reasonable competency" in order to be successful - which would pretty much describe all the folks who got started by taking a class with me!

If you want to see more of Jeri's work - check out her website at jeribeads.com.
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The classes are just week after next - May 3-4 and 5-6. There are spaces left - so you should jump on this opportunity right now. Jeri is NOT teaching at Bead and Button and has a limited teaching schedule this year - so this is a really good opportunity - especially for those in the Southern Ontario area - as the cost savings of not having to travel to the US are huge! Email Jenny H at beadfx and sign up now!

Happy Friday

A linky love Friday for you.

Some of my favorite flameworkers today for you. This is only a few links - I have hundreds of favourites of course. Any lampworkers reading today - please feel free to post your link in the comments. I know I'm leaving out a ton of really talented Canadian Beadmakers - so post away!



http://www.anastasiabeads.com/enter.htm

Shari Slonski

Dwyn of course!

Amy Waldman-Smith

Lezlie Winemaker

Lucie Weir

Amy Johnson


Stephanie Sersich