Fascinated by the intricacies of colorful glass beads and glass jewelry? In this introduction to bead making, learn the basic skills of heating glass, applying it to a mandrel, and shaping it with tools in just 4 weeks.

 

Plus, learn important decorative techniques, such as dots and trails. You’ll make several different kinds of beads that you'll want to wear or share.

 

Ages 14+

Learn how to draw with glass. In this 4-week course, you will learn a variety of stringer pulling techniques, watch detailed demonstrations, and use hand torches to gain the skills required to create one-of-a-kind borosilicate glass drawings. This class is great for a beginner flameworker or someone looking to expand their skills at the torch. You are encouraged to bring reference images and ideas that we can help you bring to life in glass.

 

Ages 14+

Learn to work with borosilicate (hard) glass over the torch. Borosilicate is very resistant to shock which makes it perfectly suited to scientific applications. It's also appropriate for countless artistic projects. Explore the creation of borosilicate beads, marbles, and pendants while learning new methods for applying color to your glass objects. No experience necessary.

Ages 14+

Take a deep dive into this aquatic themed 4-week flameworking course. Demonstrations will include sculpting sea forms such as fish, sea turtles, octopus, and marine plant life. Over the course of 4 weeks, you will learn color application, hand control, and annealing. Instruction will cover safety, torch operation, a variety of solid sculpting practices using borosilicate glass, and provide one-on-one troubleshooting. This class is great for someone to expand their sculpting skills at the torch.

Prerequisite: Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking, or equivalent 24 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Ages 14+

Finish a project you have had on the back burner or tackle a new one while focusing on your favorite techniques in Flameworking Open Projects. Instructor will work one-on-one with students and provide personalized demos and troubleshooting.

Prerequisite: Flame 2 or 72 hours equivalent experience or instructor permission required.

Ages 14+

This class is the sixth in my Aquatics Series. In this five-day class we will work strictly with borosilicate glass to create fresh and saltwater game fish. We start day one with a few small pendants to warm up. Fish, sting rays, and nudibranchs are on the menu. Next, we dive right into a rainbow trout on a wood branch featuring the new Molten Aura Electrum glass, perfect for those shimmery fish! On day three we’ll make a large Mahi Mahi on water wisps scene and on day four a yellowfin tuna chasing some small schooling fish. On the last day we will make small creatures for our vignettes.

This is a fast-paced, fun-filled class with a lot of time to cement new skills to make great saleable items!

Deb has been flameworking for 35 years and shows you great ideas for more interesting art by adding expressive narratives, drawing the observer in to find their own stories in each one. Grab your gear and let’s go fishing!

Students are asked to bring three bases for your vignettes, preferably wood so they can easily be drilled out for components. Shortly before the class begins, students will receive an email with more details and suggested tools to bring.

Evening Open Studio

Studios are open until 9:30PM for students to practice. Depending on the class, process, and techniques, this time might be highly suggested by instructors for students to use. In other classes, this time might be considered optional.

For more information, please review Summer Intensives.

Learn more about deb crowley at www.debcrowley.com

Ready to turn fire and glass into wearable art?

Join us for an immersive beadmaking experience where you'll learn to shape, decorate, and design stunning glass beads.

No experience? No problem.

Already started? We’ll help you grow.

In this five-day class, you will begin by learning how to set up and work confidently but safely in a studio environment. You’ll gain a solid understanding of ventilation, personal protection, proper heat management, and the tools of the trade — mandrels, marvers, graphite paddles, bead release,etc.. Special attention is given to the nature of soft glass, COE compatibility, and proper cooling.

Through guided demonstrations, you will explore the fundamental techniques of bead shaping — from round basics to more sculptural forms like ovals, barrels, hearts, bicones and figurative beads. You'll also learn essential surface decoration methods including stringer application, dot work, encasing, and simple layering to create depth and complexity in your designs.

Along the way, the class introduces the principles of color theory and glass reactions and the use of silver foil. You’ll also develop basic troubleshooting skills to overcome common issues such as cracking, bubbling, and devitrification.

The class includes an introduction to hollow beads for beginners— and blown beads for advanced beginners. Both techniques challenge your control of heat, shape, and wall thickness.

During the class or in your open studio time, whether you’re building a consistent set, experimenting with personal motifs, or developing a signature style, this course supports your growth as both a maker and designer. You’ll leave with a collection of finished beads, the foundational skills for continued independent practice, and the inspiration to keep the torch burning.

This is a perfect class for beginners or for those who feel they need to review their basic skills in order to go further in their exploration. But you have to remember that learning how to work with hot glass is a personal and unique path. Take your time and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

Evening Open Studio

Studios are open until 9:30PM for students to practice. Depending on the class, process, and techniques, this time might be highly suggested by instructors for students to use. In other classes, this time might be considered optional.

For more information, please review Summer Intensives.

Learn more about Alessia Fuga at www.alessiafuga.com

In this cross-disciplinary class, you will use the torch to create objects out of glass that will then be engraved by handheld diamond tools. Inspired by the origins of engraving, we will investigate how to recreate some of the first known works carved by humanity. As we make our own versions of these objects, we will experiment with how to combine these techniques and processes into our individual artistic practices.

Students will start by developing a basic knowledge of torchworking in the Flame Shop to create their own cabochon and cylinder seal shapes. Once these objects are made, we will take them to the cold shop, where you will learn the art of engraving with handheld diamond drills. We will also introduce other various coldworking techniques such as lapidary grinding and sandblasting to shape and assemble our projects.

Through the study of ancient glassmaking and engraving, you will explore different ways to adapt to the changes in materials and technologies from history to the present. As a team of researchers, we will learn to remake these objects in a contemporary, but still true-to-process method.

All levels are welcome from beginners to intermediate students.

Evening Open Studio

Studios are open until 9:30PM for students to practice. Depending on the class, process, and techniques, this time might be highly suggested by instructors for students to use. In other classes, this time might be considered optional.

For more information, please review Summer Intensives.

Learn more about Ryan Tanner at https://www.ryeglass.com/about