Would you like me to teach at your local studio?  Are you a member of a bead group?  Are you looking for private instruction? 

 Suggest my class to the studio where you take classes!  Tell me how I can participate with the members of your group or invite me as a guest! Check my schedule to see when I'll be in your area then contact me to set a date for private instruction, a demonstration, a presentation or a trunk show.  Or come to me in scenic central Utah for your own private bead vacation!

Class description:

Class participants will explore wide variety of enamel applications and effects with 104 COE glass beads, including straight line stringer application in the two-day class.  My classes are designed for intermediate beadmakers with the intention of expanding the student’s arsenal of design techniques into the wonderful world of enamels. We’ll explore how to apply enamels to create vivid backgrounds, gentle color fades, faux surfaces and streaky lines, among other effects.  As you become comfortable with the properties of enamels and learn how to avoid some common pit falls, you’ll also become familiar with wide variety of colors available from vivid to natural.  If participating in a 2-day session we will also explore stringer application with an emphasis on drawing straight lines with crisp connections and working with thin stringers.  The classes are loaded with information, supported with multiple handouts, and always tailored to the student’s need and requests.  Practice time follows each demonstration to build skills and comfort one step at time, troubleshooting at each level.

Two-day class outline:

1. Introductions

2. Safety

   1. Ventilation

   2. Clean up

   3. Eating & drinking

3. Properties

1. Viscosity

2. Stickiness

3. Heat sensitivity

4. Transparent colors

3. Enameled Stringer

   1. Dipping and pulling

      1. Viscosity

      2. Handle

      3. Color combinations

2. Applying

   1. Brittleness

   2. Distortion

   3.  Preventing boiling

3. Rolling and pulling for larger diameter stringers

4. Cane (optional based on student preferences)

4. Rolling in enamel

1. Surface heat vs. a cool core

2. Protecting the pucker

5. Enamel Mixes

   1. Mixing

   2. Rolling

   3. Sifting

6. Sifting

   1. Protecting the pucker & hole

   2. Speckled effects

   3. Fades

      1. Shaping considerations

      2. Color considerations

      3. Loose fades

      4. Tight fades

8. Removing enamel

9. Encasing enamel

   1. Enameling the mandrel

   2. Encasing enamel on glass

10. Blowing enameled shards

1. Viscosity advantages

2. Distortion

10. Stringer work

    1. Color considerations

    2. Lateral rings

    3. Horizontal lines

    4. Dragging

    5. “T” intersections

    6. End caps

    7. "Hail Mary" fixes and corrections. 

Supplies:

Effetre glass:

• 3 rods white #204

• 1 rod black #064

• 1 rod dark silver plum #275

• 1 rod dark ivory #276

• 1 rod transparent pale apple #073

• 1 rod transparent light blue #052

• 4 rods clear #006

• Access to a variety of shorts

N-100 (same as P-100) respirator

Thompson Enamel sample kit

Plastic sifter*

12” 9.5 mm heavy wall boro tube (blow tube for shards)

Marving pads or ceramic tiles, for rolling enamel

 1 Cotton washcloth per 4 students (to be cut into pieces) – no synthetic fibers, please

1 Coffee can (for breaking shards)

At least 2 rolls of paper towel per 6 students (clean up)

1 disposable turkey pan per 2 students to hold water for sifting enamel over **

1 spray bottle

Mandrels & bead release

Tap jars with water

Students should bring a pick or razor blade, paddle/marver, and any favorite tools, including appropriate eyewear and clothing.

 *Or JC Sifter from Arrow Springs size 11, 40 mesh.  If plastic sifters are provided with class material, I will bring metal sifters available for purchase in class

 ** Can be substituted with wet paper towel.  Please have at least one additional roll of paper towel and at least two spray bottles total for class use.