Beadmaking Classes & Testimonials

Glass Beadmaking (Lampwork) Classes in New Lenox, Illinois (suburb of Chicago)

If you're reading this page, you're one of the few, the proud, the brave (and maybe a little wild!) who either love glass and are willing to try something new, or you're a glass beadmaker who wants to learn more.

I have been making beads for  9 years, teaching for 8 years. I taught two semesters at the Toledo Museum of Art when I lived in southeast Michigan. I learned beadmaking in a little glass shop in Plymouth, Michigan in February 2000. My first class was a 4 hour class on a HotHead torch for $175.

Since then, I've studied with  Jim Smircich, Kate Fowle Meleney, Leah Fairbanks, Sharon Peters, Tink Martin, Brent Graber, Brad Pearson, Doug Remschneider, Barry Lafler, Kim Myles, Kim Osibin, Anne Ricketts, Deb Crowley, J.C. Herrell, Pam Pitts, Sherry Bellamy, Hugh Salkind, Ray Olsen, and Shawn Tucker.

I continue to take classes and continue to teach because I love hot glass, and I believe you can always learn more!  I offer the same 4 hour class for $175, but my goal was to exceed my own beginning class in terms of content, style of teaching and follow up. Once you've taken a class, I'm here to answer questions via email.

How Can You Take a Class?

Read the information below and then contact me via email.  I'm located in New Lenox, IL (suburb of Chicago) about 3 miles from exit 137 on I-80. Once we agree on a date and time that is convenient, I'll email you a map. A 50% deposit via PayPal, will hold the date for you, and the balance can be paid at the lesson.


My Philosophy

I have had heard that some artists fear their competition and so, like a chef who leaves out a vital ingredient, they tell only *some* of what they know. How sad is that?

I believe that if your hand is closed to keep something from going out, nothing can come in either! I'm happy to say, that in the many workshops I've attended in glass beadmaking I have NEVER come across this attitude in a teacher, although I've heard of it. Because of this I have felt honored to pass on the knowledge I've learned... as much as I can in the time I have with each student. I encourage note taking, photo taking, and I also include what I consider to be good information in my handout and on my Studio Stuff page. I want you to learn from MY mistakes, but don't worry, you'll make some of your own and be a better beadmaker because of them.

Your Class

I teach by appointment in the beautiful new studio we've built in our home in New Lenox. The fee is $175 for 4 hours. During the class you will be provided with all the tools, glass, torch, etc. So don't worry about anything except tying back long hair, wearing long sleeves and shoes and socks... NO SANDALS.

If you're a beginner, we'll go over safety first, and then how to light the torch, how to dip mandrels, make several round and centered beads, a tube (cylinder) bead, and a tab (disk) bead. You'll learn how to pull stringer, how to apply stringer in dots and stripes, raking, feathering, and plunging. (Don't you love the little plunged dot beads? They're the ones with the little strategically placed trapped bubbles.) Then we'll progress to various designs... if you have a favorite, bring a photo or write a list of things you want to see/learn and we'll discuss them and determine if it's something you can do right away or work towards.

We'll discuss types of glass, equipment and I'll give you a handout and catalog for supplies. You'll make your own beads and I'll anneal them and you can pick them up or I'll send them to you via first class mail.

Intermediate and Advanced

We will go over what you have learned and what you need help with, then customize your class based on your particular needs. I encourage you to make a list prior to the class, a menu of what you'd like to go over, we'll discuss what you can do now and what you want to be able to do, and we'll use that as our plan of attack!

If you are interested in taking a class, please let me know via email asap so I can get you on my calendar. I teach by appointment only, there are no "scheduled" classes, other than occasional workshops which will be listed here on the Blue Fire Beads website.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Testimonials