Flamework Glass Beadmaking ~ with Harlan Simon
Experience the Allure of Hot Glass!
Using small, clean burning, and environmentally efficient propane-oxygen torches, Oakland resident and professional glass maker Harlan Simon takes you step by step through the basics of flamework glass beadmaking. Flamework is the crown jewel of the vitreous arts. More than 4,000 years old, the process involves the magical, mesmerizing winding of molten glass onto hand spun metal rods.
In a safe, supportive environment, Harlan’s workshop offers: glass making history, from its ancient Mesopotamian past to its modern present, safety and tool review, numerous demonstrations, and plenty of practice time. By the week’s end, participants will have created a multitude of glass beads.
Workshop content varies depending upon participant interest and skill level, but generally includes the following: Basic bead formation and shaping, making and using design components, including glass stringers and multicolored “twisties,” use of design techniques, such as dotting, casing, color shading, air bubble entrapment (“plunging”), pin-wheeling, ancient “Roman”/Venetian raking, discussion of color and design theory, use of specialized tools, sculptural aspects of glass beadmaking, as well as many other topics.
Flamework glass bead making is an unlimited, “scaleable” art form, offering something for everyone, from beginner to advanced alike. The beadmaking workshop may also be suitable for teens, subject to instructor approval.
Fees for Materials
The MATERIALS fee for the morning class section is $90, and $60 for the PM section, payable to the instructor by cash or check, in the first class meeting.
A lover of glass since age three, Harlan Simon has taught glass bead making at City of Oakland Studio One since 2000. As a flameworker he has been active as a Bay Area Arts and Craft show exhibitor over the past ten years.