Glass Fabrication // Jewelry

This three-session class introduces students to the mysterious world of working with hot glass to create glass beads, pendants & earrings.

On the first day of the workshop, we will cover work space and tools, fire and personal safety, and introduce controlling hot glass in order to create beads with new tools. Students will learn how to wind hot glass onto mandrels to create beads. Decorative applications such as dots, wraps and twisted cane will also be covered.

On the second day of the workshop, students will discover how to add more colors, textures and decorative patterns to glass using glass frit, silver foil, and combining all decorative vocabulary learned up to this point. 

On the third day, the class will explore working off the mandrel to create hooks for bead holes, which can be expanded into drop pendants or earrings.

There will be ample time for guided exploration, so students should feel free to come with ideas, pictures, or with nothing at all but your curiosity!  A metal or heat resistant box is recommended to take your creations home!

We will review using findings to create necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

This is a wonderful workshop to teach the basics of glass jewelry. Each student will work at their own station: a basic glass beadmaking kit comprised of Didymium safety glass, a hothead torch, and metal bead mandrels.  With these components, students could easily continue their explorations in other studios! 

Interested in more project examples? Check out students work from the class on our tumblr.

Instructor
Kim Fraczek is a working glass and jewelry artist. Kim received her BFA from Tyler School of Art in both the jewelry/CAD & the glass departments in 2000. She has built her own glass jewelry company over the past several years right in the 3rd Ward neighborhood. She has also served as the Creative Director of an international diamond jewelry house. She is thrilled to be a part of the 3rd Ward community and share her love of glass. You can view her work at www.kimfraczek.com

Basic/Custom Member Price: $229 + $35 Material Fee Nonmember Price: $289 + $35 Material Fee Our Members Save $$$! Add a 12 Month Basic Membership to your enrollment. Receive class discounts, members only access, & more! Choose: Become a Member & Enroll

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