www.wardill.com

Workshop Information

Class Supply and Material lists….

Beginner Glass Bead Making

No experience is necessary to attend this class, just enthusiasm, open mind, and an urge to learn!

WARNING: Glass bead making is addictive!

Join world respected Australian glass bead artist and jeweller Kathryn Wardill on an interesting and challenging world of hot glass on a small scale!

About the workshop:

Adventure into the world of HOT GLASS! Create one-off glass beads, miniature artworks that others will marvel at. Teaching the basics of glass bead making, the tutor thoroughly explains all aspects of the process, no experience is necessary other than to work with your hands on a small scale. Students need good eyesight and the steady use of both hands. Safety, understanding equipment, glass and mandrel preparation all lead to making your own beads. As the workshop progresses, more elaborate techniques will be introduced such as shaping beads, using stringers, and decorative techniques, tips, tricks and troubleshooting. Scheduled class times are highly structured with a balance between demonstrations and students practicing techniques. Upon completion, students have the knowledge to continue to practice their glass bead-making skills in their own studios. Due to the nature of this workshop students are unable to work unsupervised out of class hours. Classes are taught using Bullseye glass on a Hot Head torch.

About your lecturer:

Kathryn Wardill received her Master of Arts, (Fine Art) and Grad Dip in Tertiary Teaching in 1998 from RMIT University. She is a full-time jeweller, metalsmith, and glass bead artist who actively participates in group and solo exhibitions in Australia and overseas. From her Melbourne studio, she creates both exhibition and retail jewellery featuring her outstanding glass beads, examples can be viewed on her website www.wardill.com. She is the only Australian artist featured in the book '1000 Glass Beads: Innovation & Imagination in Contemporary Glass

Beadmaking' 2004 and the first Australian speaker at the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) Conference, USA in 2006.

If you would like to learn more about Kathryn’s profession experience you can read her CV.

Kits:

At some workshops your lecturer Kathryn Wardill offers kits. Please check the paperwork that was sent to you by the workshop organisers. The kits are a hire system. You pay a set fee to Kathryn in advance of the workshop and she brings the kit, sets it up, and packs it away after the workshop. You take home the beads you have created and the knowledge to buy and use all the equipment if you are addicted. Kits are not available at all workshops.

All students should bring/wear:

wear closed shoes

tie back hair

have the use of both hands, be able to hold both hands steady

good eyesight – bring your glasses if you need them to see

water bottle – must have a closed top

pen & paper – for notes and sketches

safety glasses - transparent safety glasses ($6.00 approx from Hardware or BOC gas & gear stores, tool suppliers etc)

Camera and batteries

Name tag

Mug/cup for tea or coffee

Materials and tools to bring:

Bullseye glass rods

An example of a selection of rods for a 2 day beginner class:

(1 each of:

clear, french vanilla white, black, red, orange - trans glasses - spring green, sky blue, light pink stiker, neo lavender purple)

Hot head torch & adaptor/s

2kg gas bottle – remember to have it filled - if you are travelling to the workshop by aeroplane you cannot take matches with you, please purchase these when you arrive.

container of vermiculite - 4L metal paint can is perfect

20 stainless steel mandrels – 2 sizes is preferable

bead release - I prefer "Choice" brand

block of wood with holes to stand the mandrels in to dry

graphite paddle

steel tweezers – 20cm in length approx

3 x boxes of matches – if you are travelling to the workshop by aeroplane you cannot take matches with you, please purchase these when you arrive.

Heat proof surface - to put hot tools & glass onto (ceramic plates,

ceramic tiles, piece of marble, metal pizza tray)

1 pair of mosaic cutters

1 pair of old pliers

1 set of bead core scrapers or cleaning tools

1 packet of tobacco pipe cleaners - cotton

Things to “show & tell”

Please feel welcome to bring examples of your creative craft and artwork, many of my students are experts in other art forms and I would encourage you to bring some pieces to share with the group during breaks.

Suppliers for tools and materials:

Australia

http://www.finnsglass.com.au/

http://www.glasscraft.com.au/

http://www.gemworld.com.au/

http://www.albionglass.com.au/

http://www.beadedflowergarden.com.au/

http://www.beadglass.com.au/

New Zealand

http://secure.dataview.co.nz/users/annieros/annierose.com/htdocs/index.html

USA

http://www.bullseye-glass.com/