Anyone tried lampworking?

[SusanF]

This is a craft that I haven't tried but do desperately want to have a go at

Lampworking is making individual glass beads using a hot flame and coloured glass rods. You can see some fabulous examples here.

The problem is that it is a really expensive hobby to set up and I can just see my DH's face if I suggested it (but the garage is just sitting there shouting out "Use me"!!!!!)

I'm thinking of trying to persuade a friend to come on a one day course with me to try it out - at least then I'll have some idea of how much I will enjoy it, before starting to think about how to persuade my other half to part with some serious cash.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Wow -- those are some pretty impressive beads! And if the garage is there... well, it might as well be used . But it looks very specialised; does it take a lot of training?

[Jilly]

Wow! they are fantastic!
They do go for very good prices, surely hubby can be persuaded to see it as a prudent 'investment'

[Serinde]

Mabel, this person does 1-to-1 tutorials! Quite impressive beads!

[Jess03]

Woah that definatly does look like an expensive hobby, but at the same time so much fun
You'll have to let us know if you go to a try out session!

[~threadbear~]

They are beautiful.
Be a great idea to try it out and see how you got on with it first.
Seems it would be a lucrative hobby in the long term as well!

[charmagne_capalad]

WOW! They are beautiful! I love them!

[coffee_freak]

yeah i have thought of it..searching etsy a lot i see very LOVELY glass beads..and I just think to myself "wonder if i can make that myself?"
as I do w/ just about anything I see..i try to figure out how to do it..

space and money are the issue though..

if you give it a go..i'll be curious to see how it goes!

[Daesania]

I have done lampworking before, well, beignner stuff. There is a glass store in town that has a beginners kit for about 120 USDollars. It came with the torch, a fire proof mat, a soft material for placing the beads on, then like 30 sticks of glass rods, a weird liquid to put on the rods to make the beads not stick to it. I tried it for awhile but then i got married, moved,... so all my supplies are in a box somewhere but i cant wait to pick it up again.

oh i forgot, i spent 30 bucks also on a glass making book, with step by step instructions. I will say though, it takes lots of practice just to make a circle bead let alone ones with designs. It takes a lot of practice to get the technique down to where you arent melting the glass so fast where its just dripping on the rod, or not enough heat where it wont stick to the rod. It took me over a month just to make an 'ok' looking bead - not including designs.

[Mabel Figworthy]

It took me over a month just to make an 'ok' looking bead - not including designs.

Definitely a challenging hobby, then! I'm afraid I probably wouldn't have the patience for it (why do you think most of my cross stitch projects are small and most of my crochet is done with a needle that's strictly speaking far too thick for the wool ?)

[Daesania]

Yes very much so! I broke a looooot of glass rods just trying, it takes a lot of patience. I did mine in my kitchen, but a garage is much better suited for lamp work!

I must say, working with a super hot flame was very scary.

[SusanF]

I've found a course!!!!

I've booked myself and a couple of friends onto a one day taster course in Lampworking. It sounds like a great girly day out (okay, that's how I've sold it to my friends ). Six hours tuition and lunch and refreshments included. I can't wait for 8th November now.

Daesania - good to hear someone else has tried this. Sounds like it's going to take a lot of practise, but I guess once you get the hang of it individual beads don't take very long to make ??

[coffee_freak]

i did a lot of researching on the net about it..and as you've said..it sounded challenging to me. I'm afraid w/ a 2yo boy and an almost 12 yo girl..the thought of this is impossible. maybe when the kids are a bit more grown..i'll take a course too!

good luck and can't wait to hear about the class

[Mabel Figworthy]

Sounds like a great day out -- have fun, and we'll be expecting a detailed report with pictures!

[~threadbear~]

I hope you can get pictures of what you make as well, I'd love to hear all about it and see what you made.

[sammy_v]

Hope u have a great day and i cant wait to see pics, if u can take them. Well done on finding a course.