ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
My lampwork journey started in 2009 when I saw a frog perching on a glass bead on the cover of a Craftwise magazine.  It was at that point that I enquired about classes and took my beginners class with Johan de Lange at Glass and Fire.  Although the class was overwhelming, I knew that it is something that I would like to pursue.  I bought an entry torch, also called a Hothead, and set myself up in my kitchen.  Here, I learnt new techniques by purchasing tutorials and reading a lot of material on the internet that I could find.
I have and am still building my skills by taking classes and networking with international lampwork artists like Corina Tettinger (she is also the writer of an excellent lampwork book called, Passing the Flame), and Jodie McDougall (queen of murrini!).
I am also a proud member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers and have attended the Instructor’s seminar in 2016 at their annual conference called the Gathering.
At this point of my lampworking career, I would like to share my knowledge and experience to help you build your own lampwork journey, which is one of awe of what glass can do, passion and endless learning.  Not to say the new lampwork family you will get to know.
Thank you for joining me.
Karen van Staden

The Beginner’s Lampwork course is broken up in 2 days.  Day 1 is a taster of this intriguing artform where you will learn about safety and what equipment is required to make a bead, and also make a few simple beads.  Should you decide that you would like to pursue this journey, you can attend Day 2, where we learn to make more bead shapes, techniques and learn more about glass and what is required to set up a studio.

 

By the end of the course, you would have made beads similar to these….

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1:  Introduction to Lampworking  
This is a taster of what Lampworking entails.  I will be telling you about:

1.    Safety issues pertaining to lampwork
2.    Equipment we use for beadmaking
3.    Glass we use for lampworking – high level
4.    Physical properties of glass – high level
5.    How to heat a glass rod
6.    How to pull a stringer
7.    How to make a basic donut spacer bead
8.    How to apply dots and melting them flat.

 

Day 2:  Continuation of Beginners Beadmaking class

1.    Studio basics
2.    More about soft glass – types, colour reactions, black is black, clear glass, etc.
3.    Recap and more about physical properties of glass, why it is important to anneal beads
4.    Preparing and dipping mandrels
5.    Removing beads from the mandrels and cleaning them
6.    Revisit spacer beads
7.    Apply dots, melting them in and poking
8.    Make round bead, applying dots and leaving them raised
9.    Make a donut bead, apply stacked dots and rake them
10.    Make a barrel bead, applying dots and raking them
11.    Make a cube bead, applying dots and poking them with a metal tool and stringer tool
12.    Make a cone shaped bead, mashing it and turn it into a heart shaped bead

Class hours
Classes start at 9:00 and ends at round about 15:00, depending on how much fun we are having.

 

Student requirements for class

1.    Wear comfortable clothes that is made from cotton (that you preferably would not care about if hot glass burn a hole in it).   Jeans and t-shirts are recommended and preferably closed shoes.
2.    Long hair should be tied back.

 

What is included in the cost?

1.    Snacks for morning munchies
2.    Finger lunch (let me know up front if you have any dietary requirements)
3.    Use of glass set out for the class
4.    Use of tools and equipment
5.    Beads made in class
6.    The instructor! 😉

 

Cost: Day 1:  R750 , Day 2:  R750
A 50% deposit is required upfront to secure your spot in class as only 4 students can be accommodated at a time.
One on one classes as well as groups are welcome.

 

If you like to sign up for this click here

 

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me on: 083 258 5887