Glass Bead Flameworking $150 4 hr Class

Name: Glass Bead Flameworking $150 4 hr Class
Start: 2026-03-29T13:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-03-29T17:00:00-04:00
Location: 396 E. 5th North St., Ste C , Summerville, SC, United States, South Carolina 29483

Schedule

Sun Mar 29 2026 at 01:00 pm to 05:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

396 E. 5th North St., Ste C , Summerville, SC, United States, South Carolina 29483 | Summerville, SC

4 Hour class working over an open flame, melting a glass rod and forming onto mandrel to form beads.
Working over an open flame melting a glass rod and forming the molten
glass onto a metal mandrel to form a bead. All supplies and safety gear will be provided, no experience needed!
Youtube Video:

Safety Rules –
• Keep fire extinguisher handy.
• Good Ventilation – flames create caron monoxide.
• No flammable materials in work area.
• No loose clothing.
• No dangling jewelry.
• Long hair must be tied back.
• Always wear didymium glasses when working in flames.
• Keep a cup of water available
Equipment Provided
• Didymium Glasses – Eye protection. Must be work over eye glasses if you have them.
• Hot Head Torch
• Bracket-Clamps
• Table protector
• Mandrels – a stainless steel rod coated with bead release. This allows the bead to come off the rod after annealing.
• Bead Release – Clay substance on mandrels.
• Glass Rods – Soft glass, COE 104. It melts at a lower temperature and easily manipulated.
• Rod Rest – holds the hot glass rods after use and holds them so they don’t rollaround.
• Carbon Shaper – used to manipulate glass.
• Dental Pic – Tool used for decorating.
• Needle nosed pliers – tool to handle hot glass
• Vermiculite in crock pot – holds beads for annealing.
Beginner Class Goal – To allow the student to become comfortable working over an open flame handling the glass rod and mandrel properly to create a bead.
Advanced classes gradually build on the user’s skill to create decorative beads and other small glass items.
Instructor – Cathie Brailey
I have been a lampwork instructor for the better part of 40 years. I taught at the Clear Creek Jewelry Academy in Golden Colorado and a Bead store in Loveland, Colorado many years ago. I recently retired from the corporate world and want to expand my lampwork teaching. Look for more classes coming soon at Iris & Stone Pottery Studio. I look forward to meeting everyone!!