Articles
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A
prolific writer when she puts her mind to it, Barbara has written
for many Magazines and Newsletters on subject matter from Astrology
to Zen!
Most recently her pen and writing cap has focused on Articles
about Beads and Beadmaking, eBay and Paypal, Barbara is currently
writing a book on Beadmaking 101 for Beginners to be published
soon.
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All
Materials COPYWRITED - May not be reproduced without permission from
the Author.
So,
you want to make Glass Beads?
by
Barbara Robinson
After
my last article (above) entitled "Lampwork Beadmaking
in Australia" there was an onslaught of requests for
more information.
Hence, this article evolved to give more insight into Glass
Beadmaking.
What's involved, what you need, things to be aware of, and
last but not least - where to find even more help should you
choose to learn more or get started!
Generally
speaking, there are 2 routes into the wonderful world of Lampwork
Beadmaking. The path of the Hobbyist, and that of the Potential
Business.
I'm going to give you some comparisons from which to gain
a perspective, but please remember that I am making generalizations
here!
No guarantees on quoted prices, nor that it can't be done
for less money in certain cases. Your mileage will vary according
to your willingness to shop around for the best deals, and
"best" doesn't always mean cheapest!
At bare
minimum, you're going to need a Torch designed for Beadmaking,
Safety Glasses to protect your Eyes from hot fragments, Mandrels
to make the Beads on by winding molten glass around them,
Bead Release to coat the Mandrels with so you can remove the
Beads after they've cooled, of course you'll need Glass, and
you'll need a way to cool the Beads slowly or they will crack.
For this you'll need either Vermiculite or a Ceramic Fiber
Blanket.
Beyond the "bare minimum," the sky is the limit.
Tools and Supplies are endless in variety and availability,
but first it's time to draw that comparison I was talking
about earlier. Then answer some of the common questions that
arise about Lampwork Beadmaking.
Hobbyist
Basic Entry Level:
*Hot Head Torch, Adaptor and Hose system &
a common BBQ Bottle
*Propane
Tank
*Heat
Resistant Work Surface
*Mandrels,
Bead Release and a few Basic Tools
*Vermiculite
or Fiber Blanket
*Safety Glasses
*Glass Rods assortment - 25 Rods
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*Plan
to spend a minimum of:
$250 - $500 for items as listed
Best way to get everything for around this price is
to buy it in a pre-selected "Kit" form.
The Kits are usually designed to give the beginner
everything they need to get started and enough to
decide if they wish to progress further into Beadmaking
or not.
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*Advantages:
Smaller start-up investment
Portability - Easily transported to Classes or Beadmaker
Social Events.
Convenience - Can be put away between uses and Torch
is simpler to learn
*Disadvantages:
Hot Head Torch is noisy, and slower to melt Glass.
Need to hire Kiln time to anneal the Beads or run the
risk of breakage.
Greater difficulty making large or sculptural Beads.
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Potential
Business Basic Entry Level:
*Minor Burner Torch + Hoses, Regulators, etc.
*Propane Tank
*Oxygen Tank or Oxygen Concentrator
*Heatproof Workbench
*Safety Glasses - Aur92 or Didymium to protect
eyes sufficiently
*Mandrels, Bead Release and a few Basic Tools
*Glass Rods assortment - 10kilos
*Kiln, Pyrometer and Thermocouple
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*Plan
to spend a minimum of:
$1,800 - $3,500
Again, a preselected "Kit" is probably going
to get you the best price for this setup.
In Australia Kilns specifically made for Beadmaking
have recently become more easily available, but they
aren't normally included in Kits.
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*Advantages:
Minor Burner Torch (or comparable) is much quieter and
burns much hotter, Glass melts quicker, Beads can be made
faster.
Fewer limitations on what can be made.
Beads will be annealed so you can sell them amidst a competitive
market.
*Disadvantages:
Much higher investment to start up and to maintain.
More complex Torch, steeper learning curve.
Requires dedicated Workspace/Studio
Restricted portability. |
A
few of the more common Questions raised:
"How
long does it take to make a Bead?"
Beads can take as little as 3 minutes or as long as an hour
or more depending on their complexity and your proficiency.
An accomplished Beadmaker may spend even more time on a Bead
depending on the amount of inclusions, details, layers, elements
that must be made in advance, etc.
"Do
I have to take a Course?" The short answer? No.
There are many accomplished and very successful Beadmakers
who have never taken any formal training in their Art.
We are also fortunate nowadays to have the advantage of many
excellent Books, Videos, and DVD's on the Market, thanks to
the Beadmaking Pioneers!
BUT, nothing replaces watching Beadmaking being demonstrated
live!
There are Courses available now in every Major city in Australia,
as well as outlying areas. If opportunity presents, go for
it!
Check out the Instructor's qualifications, but by all means
give yourself that extra leg up if you can.
"Do
I have to have a Shed, or Studio to work in?"
Again the short answer is No, but you DO need a SAFE place
to work in. You're working with Fire here!
You need to make your space safe from hot flying Glass fragments,
open flame and heat from the Torch, have good ventilation
and lighting,
as well as a comfortable supportive chair or stool. You need
a fire extinguisher and cool water nearby, and you need to
observe appropriate safety protocols.
"Is
a Kiln really necessary?"
Only to anneal your Beads. Kiln-annealed Beads are standard
if you wish to sell them for going market prices.
Assuming you wish your beads to have a long and (whole) healthy
life, they will need to be annealed.
For the amount of money involved, it only makes sense to do
it right!
Lampworking
can be both exciting and overwhelming at first with too many
things to consider at once, but I can reasonably promise you
that it is well worth the effort to learn! The Australian
Glass Beadmakers Guild (AGBG) has a website with listings
of resources and sources of further information. You are invited
to visit the AGBG site at: www.aussiebeadmakers.com
or you can e-mail Barbara your questions on: speedy@ewol.com
*About
the Author:
Barbara Robinson has been involved in Beads and Beadmaking
for over 35 years. Founder/Coordinator/Hostess of the Brisbane
Beadmaker Meets as well as the Initiator and Founder of the
AGBG, Barbara sells Beads and Lampwork Equipment, Tools and
Supplies on both eBay and her website
www.ozziebuddy.com
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Lampwork
Beadmaking in Australia
by Barbara Robinson
In recent years, Australia has been experiencing an explosive
growth rate in the area of Lampwork Beads and Glass Beadmaking.
The sparkle and allure, endless variety and unlimited range
potential of these Glass Gems has proven irresistible to both
Collectors and Creators alike! From the Unique and Unusual,
to the Fun and Funky, Subtle or Garish, Luxurious, Awe-inspiring,
Glamorous, Amusing, or Simple and Comforting - Lampwork Glass
Beads are definitely IN!
An
ancient art form once considered unattainable by the majority,
creating one's own glamorous Glass Beads is now much easier
for the average person to pursue. Many new innovations in the
Tools necessary to the Art have made it much more feasible and
affordable just in the last few years. Glass Rods, Torches and
other tools of the trade are also more easily available in some
larger cities in Australia as well as by shopping on the Internet
with several online Australian vendors saving the cost and hassle
of ordering from overseas.
As a result of all this modern day ease in availability - growth
and enthusiasm have blossomed. Internet-based Public Forums
have sprung up promoting communications and networking, enabling
all interested persons to ask questions as well as get assistance
from any number of other Beadmakers. America has certainly led
the pack in these areas, but the Aussies are definitely coming
into their own in terms of local resources and especially in
local talent!
There are (at this writing) 2 Internet-based public Forums for
Australian Lampwork Glass Beadmakers.
These Forums have specific areas dedicated to technical help,
local and overseas Equipment and Suppliers lists, links to member
websites, general discussions about all aspects of Beadmaking,
news about up-coming shows or group meets, etc. Probably the
most frequented areas of all Beadmaker Forums are the "show
and tell" areas where everyone proudly displays their Beads
for the entire world to see! In the time-honoured fashion of
Beadmakers everywhere, they freely share how they have achieved
their amazing results!
Experienced and Amateur alike flock to these Forums to discuss
the intricacies of a particular technique, the results of experiments
in mixing reactive colours of Glass, new recipes for essential
basic supplies like Bead Release, and even where to get an annealing
Kiln and how to achieve the best results with it.
You can find these Forums by pointing your web-browser at:
http://www.mirusbeads.com.au/forums/index.php
Where you will find the livelier discussions and plenty of "eye
candy" to look at. You will find more information on the
Yahoo-based Aussie Beadmaker Forum:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glass_bead_makers/?yguid=110577524
You can opt to have on-going discussions emailed as they happen
rather than going to the website to read, although you may wish
to take the time to peruse the many folders of photographs of
members works.
Beadmaking
is a fabulous craft and people love it. It's fascinating and
addictive!
They want new tools, new supplies, trendy new techniques, famous
teachers, books, etc., etc. Look again at the US market, there
are over 100,000 people making a living on the Bead craft. Professionals,
Bead Shops, eBay, Jewellery-makers/Designers, Teachers, Toolmakers,
Suppliers, etc.
Australia is rapidly growing - filling those same niches locally,
and still wide open to expansion!
The Australian Beadmakers avidly seek out and consume new products
to use in their craft to attain different results. Fine Silver,
Gold and Copper in both Leaf and Wire form as well as Enamels
applied to Glass and annealed are particularly stunning. There's
been strong interest in incorporating CZ's into Beads, creating
a very attractive work of art combining a bit of the Lapidarist
Trade and dapping Silver or Copper "cores" through
Bead holes to combine the Jeweller's Arts as well.
Because these are all individually handcrafted - every Bead
is a miniature work of art!
Quite naturally, the response to all this excitement has been
the development of a rather large community of talented local
Beadmakers spread throughout this country. You can find their
artwork in Galleries, Jewellery Shops, Craft Markets, on their
own Websites and on eBay. Many market their wares to the USA
Buyers as well.
Thanks
to the Internet, this same nation-wide Beadmaking community
is a very tight-knit and cohesive group with the largest concentration
of individuals in the Brisbane area. Out of desire for like-minded
people to socialize and share their passion and knowledge with
in person, the Brisbane Beadmaker's Group was formed in November
2003 and has successfully maintained a regular and enthusiastically
attended Monthly meet since then.
These Beadmakers meet to freely share techniques, resources
and ideas. Promoting their own work as well as the growth of
Beadmaking and related industries in Australia.
All interested persons are invited to the monthly Bead Meet
- please contact this Author for details.
Barbara can be reached on email: bjarbeads@ozziebuddy.com
or by phone on: (07) 3279 0022
Beadmakers
from Australia (and New Zealand) even have a "Challenge"
to participate in, whereby a theme is chosen for focus and Beadmakers
"challenge" their skills according to the theme. Pictures
of their works are displayed on-line for 6 weeks or more and
sponsored prizes are awarded!
This is a fun NEW event and has generated a tremendous response
and participation.
For more information on the BeadMaker Challenge and to view
pictures, please point your web-browser to:
http://www.ozziebuddy.com/beadchallenge.html
From
a dedicated core group of the Brisbane Beadmakers, the newly
formed "Australian Glass Beadmaker's Guild" (AGBG)
was borne. The founding members united to develope this organization
in the interest of promoting the growth and recognition of the
Glass Beadmaking Art, facilitating communications and mentoring
amongst interested persons, as well as providing networking
support and professional development.
The AGBG website is now fully functional with content and rapidly
growing!
www.aussiebeadmakers.com
*About
the Author:
Barbara Robinson has been involved in Beads and Beadmaking for
over 35 years. She is the Founder/Coordinator/Hostess of the
Brisbane Beadmaker Meets, as well as the Initiator and Founder
of the AGBG. Barbara sells her Beads as well as Lampwork Equipment,
Tools and Supplies on eBay and her website
www.ozziebuddy.com
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Some
of the Beads featured with this Article:
(Click images for larger views)
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