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The earliest known beads date back approximately 40,000 years. Beads are generally formed using lampworking techniques and mandrels, a stainless steel rod on which the beads are constructed. Classes include all glass, supplies, and tools.
Beginning Bead Making
A great adult and teen workshop for beginning glass bead makers! Students in this class will learn the basic technique of forming beads using a minor burner tabletop torch. Studio safety, glass compatibility, annealing, bead shaping and basic bead decorating will be covered in this class. Class includes open torch time to be creative with instructor on site for questions. Make it a party and bring your friends for this exciting class right here in Kalamazoo!
Prerequisite: Age 12 & up, no experience necessary.
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Note: If you are interested in a class that won't work with your schedule or is full, most classes can be
scheduled at your convenience.
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Four-Week Beginning Bead Making
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Instructor: Sue Bombardt
Mondays, June 4 - 25, 6:30-9 p.m. (BMJ1214)
Thursdays, Aug 2 - 23, 6:30-9 p.m. (BMJ1215)
Prerequisite: Ages 12 and up, no experience necessary.
$140 members/$160 non-members
Maximum: 6 students
A great workshop for beginning and continuing bead makers! Students will learn the basic technique of forming beads to create beautiful jewelry on a mandrel using a minor burner tabletop torch. You will use soft glass, Moretti, to build these colorful glass pieces. Studio safety, glass compatibility, annealing, bead shaping, and basic bead decorating will be covered in this class as you learn to use heat and gravity to shape molten glass. Demonstrations will alternate with working time.
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One-Day Beginning Bead Making Workshop
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Instructor: Laurie Donnette
Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (BMJ1216) No Longer Available
Sunday, June 3, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. (BMJ1217)
Saturday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. (BMJ1218)
Prerequisite: Ages 12 and up, no experience necessary.
$100 members/$120 non-members
Maximum: 6 students
Quick learner? Join us for this one-day crash course in bead making. A great workshop for beginning and continuing bead makers! Students will learn the basic technique of forming beads to create beautiful jewelry on a mandrel using a minor burner tabletop torch. You will use soft glass, Moretti, to build these colorful glass pieces. Studio safety, glass compatibility, annealing, bead shaping, and basic bead decorating will be covered in this class as you learn to use heat and gravity to shape molten glass. Demonstrations will alternate with working time.
**Follow up this class with Continuing Bead Making the next day to take things a step further. See class below. |
Continuing Bead Making
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Instructor: Laurie Donnette
Sunday, May 13, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. (BMJ1219)-No Longer Available
Sunday, August 12, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (BMJ1220)
Prerequisite: Beginning Bead Making or equivalent
Ages 12 and up. Maximum: 6
$100 members/$120 non-members
Got basic bead shaping down? Join other bead makers and learn to make vine cane, encasing techniques, stringer control, and raised decorations. This class for adults includes open torch time. Utilize this special open torch time to be creative with the instructor for on-site for questions.
Create your own gorgeous floral or creative glass bead necklaces and pendant jewelry in this flameworking class.
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Twisties, Cane and Millefiori for your Beads
Instructor: Laurie Donnette
Saturday & Sunday, May 26 & 27, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (BMJ1221)
Saturday & Sunday, June 16 & 17, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (BMJ1222)
Prerequisite: Beginning Bead Making or equivalent
$200 members/$240 non–members
Maximum: 4 students
Make canes, millefiori and twisties in soft glass, Moretti, to use in your bead making on the torch here at West Michigan Glass Art Center. The techniques learned in this class for adults and teens would apply to any COE glass. You will make stars, hearts, flowers and learn how to apply them to your beads. Making your own glass jewelry is a fun thing to do in Kalamazoo!
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Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?
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Instructor: Laurie Donnette
Sunday, May 6, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (BMJ1223) No longer available
Saturday, July 7, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (BMJ1224)
Sunday, Sept. 2, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (BMJ1225)
Prerequisite: Age 14 and up, Bead making experience required
$100 members/$125 non-members Maximum: 6 students
Would you like to personalize a favorite sweater? Learn to make glass beads on the torch in this fun class for adults and youth at West Michigan Glass Art Center. Maybe you’d like to add colorful buttons to your summer jacket. Spend a day with us learning how to build and make glass buttons with 1, 2, 3 or 4 holes! Included with the class is a project sheet on how to make a beautiful button bracelet jewelry.
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Gone Fishing
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Instructor: Laurie Donnette
Saturday, May 5, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (BMJ1226) No longer available
Sunday, July 15, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. (BMJ1227)
Saturday, Sept. 1, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (BMJ1228)
Prerequisite: Age 14 and up, Beginning Bead Making or equivalent
$100 members/$125 non-members Maximum: 6 students
We will work with soft glass, Moretti, to create these gorgeous colorful fish on the torch in this glass bead class at West Michigan Glass Art Center. Plan to practice a plethora of techniques to make scales, fins, and eyes. We will work on perfecting encasement and stringer control. This is a fun class for anyone having basic glass working skills and wants to make their own one of a kind jewelry and glass artwork.
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