Glass garden

Bead&Button Show class recap

It's hard to believe it's already been two weeks since the 2014 Bead&Button Show. It's always a crazy-busy week and weekend, and it takes a bit to recover — which is why I'm just now sharing the fruits of my all-day "Glass flowers, leaves, and berries" class. Leah Fairbanks, our teacher, has more talent for glass-bead making in one skin cell of her pinky finger than I have in my entire self. 

Though, to be fair, I've only had two classes ever and waited two years in between them. I really love playing with molten glass, but it's an expensive hobby to get into at home. There are tanks of gas, torches, a kiln, and pricey tools involved. Not to mention, you'd need a true studio that's well-ventilated and ready for a mess. 

Anyway, above you'll see my work station for the day. Those glass rods (bound together with rubber bands in the middle there) are melted down over a "neutral flame," transferred to a bit of wire, and shaped either by hand (tweezers) or by metal molds into flowers and leaves — or whatever else you dream up. 

Leah made it look so easy (it wasn't), but I do believe that with practice and patience, glass-bead making could be a very relaxing and rewarding hobby — even for a non-pro like me. Maybe someday I'll invest in that kiln. But for now, one day with a glass master was plenty rewarding.