Paul Spencer is now offering individual classes in glass flameworking techniques in his studio at NDSM Loods in Noord Amsterdam. In as little as two hours, you will learn about this artform and make your own glass beads using various techniques for forming and applying color to glass.  The beads you create will be yours to keep to make your own jewelry or other adornments or to enjoy as a piece of art!   No experience is necessary in working with glass!

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Glass flameworking (also called lampworking) uses a gas “torch” flame to melt and shape glass. Once the glass is sufficiently heated to a molten state, it is shaped with tools and hand movements.  Generally, flameworking requires fewer tools and materials and a smaller workspace than other glass techniques.  Flameworking has enjoyed thousands of years of history across many continents, cultures and skill sets and can be used to create anything from beads to small hollow vessels. 

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This class if for a minimum of two hours and you will learn the following:

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• What flameworking is and what it is not

• Material: Glass rods, stringers, shards, frit, and enamel

• Tools and equipment: Mandrels, torch, hand tools

• Creating a bead

  • Melting glass, viscosity

  • Turning and shaping the glass

  • Medium working time

• Layering color

  • Mixing versus layering of color and impact of glass chemistry

  • Light reflection, opacity, translucidity, transparency

• Applying texture

• Cooling and annealing

• Special techniques developed by Paul Spencer

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Cost is € 35 per hour for a two-hour minimum.  After the class, Paul will anneal your beads which will strengthen them against breakage.  You can pick these up at NDSM or they will be mailed to you via PostNL.  These beads can be used as art or for making jewelry or other adornments.  Paul can provide you with additional class time to create your own jewelry if you wish.

 

This class is for those 18 years old and above.  Since you will be working with a flame and molten glass, you will need to wear clothing that covers your legs and a long sleeve top that is generally tight fitting.  You will be required to wear safety glasses which will be provided unless you have a personal pair you wish to use.

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Scroll down to see more of Paul's work (clicking on an image will open it in a popup window) or please browse Paul's website by using menu items at the top of this page.   Maybe you can create such objects in Paul's class!

 

For further questions, please contact Paul on the contact page of this website.