lampworking class

I am lucky enough to live near the creative quarter in Nottingham.  It's an area on the edge of the city centre, with a market place and lots of creative businesses, workshops and shops.  I took a lampworking class with Rosie of Bden Glass who also runs the shop which sells lots of different handmade goods.

It was a 2-hour one-to-one class.  I was a complete beginner so Rosie took me through all the equipment, her set-up and safety concerns.  

This is the torch.  It runs on a mixture of gas and oxygen.  I have forgotten which gas!  The silver pipe you can see is an extractor pipe which went out the window.

I made 4 beads.  They are formed on a steel mandrel which has been dipped in bead release.  I couldn't take any in-process pictures as it's very much a 2-hand job.  The beads are made using glass rods which are melted in the torch and wrapped around the mandrel.  The photos above show the beads when I'd made them.  They were plunged into annealing beads to cool down slowly, though you can use a kiln.  Rosie then cleaned them up for me over Christmas and I collected them last week.

This is the first bead I made.  A very simple one-colour bead.  As you can see, I didn't get it round!  There is a lot of skill involved in this technique and it's the kind of thing you need to perfect with lots of practice and experimentation.

This lovely marbled green bead was my second attempt and is actually round on one end!  Still slightly pointed at the other end, but better.

I made this bead from a transparent blue glass, then added opaque blue dots.  I'm very pleased with this one.  The dots aren't particularly even, but the shape is good.

This bead was made from clear glass and then rolled in frit (small pieces of glass) to create the confetti effect.  Unfortunately, it had an air bubble in it.  Rosie did warn me it might break... and it did!  I wasn't too upset though as I'd taken the class for the experience rather than the end product.  I'm going to book another session with her to have another practice, get some more tips and maybe try other techniques.  I'd definitely recommend this if you have a lampworker near you, it's great fun, if a little scary at first!

Upcoming classes

I went on a craft class booking frenzy before Christmas, then I went on one last week at lunchtime at work.  I did a lampwork class before Christmas (I will show you soon, promise!) which I'd like to do a follow-up class to, and I went on a ceramics course in January.    I thought you might like to see which classes I've booked.  If you click on the link, it will take you to the class listing where it's available as a separate page.

Weaving - at the end of February at Rural Antics at Hanwell Wine Estate.  I'm really excited about this!  I have no idea if I'll enjoy weaving but I do want to give it a go.  And if I do like it, weaving looms don't take up THAT much space do they?

Bentwood chair making - in March at Rural Antics at Hanwell Wine Estate.  I'm going to make a chair!!  I've never taken a class at this venue before, but when I'd booked them, I discovered one of my friends is friends with the owner and apparently she's lovely so I have high hopes!

I want to do another couple of courses here, if these ones go well!  I fancy the table making and the spoon carving.

In March I'll be going to the Creative Craft show at the NEC (click here for a ticket offer).  Not sure if there are workshops on?  Sometimes there's a make and take.

Tatting in April at the Leicestershire Craft Centre.  I bought a shuttle tatting Craftsy class ages ago and gave it a try but just couldn't get it.  I think I need to be shown in person, then hopefully I can follow the Craftsy class.  I'm very excited about this, me and wonderful mum tried to find a tatting class for years and failed.  Another new venue for me.

Then I have the Bag Retreat in April in Wales - this is run by Mrs H.  I went last year and it was brilliant.  Whilst not a workshop, there are a lot of workshops within it, learning about different aspects of bag making, and we get 3 patterns and lots of help, so it is like a very long workshop.  With alcohol.  

Papercutting in May at Two Little Magpies.  Again, another new venue, it's pretty close to my house so I have high hopes for this one as it'd be convenient to go back!  I know I could learn paper cutting from a book/tutorial, but I still haven't picked up my craft knife and at least this will get me going.

Felted Pods in June at Needle and Thread.  This is wet felting with a resist and I've fancied having a go for a while.  Me and mum avoided wet felting classes as she had terrible arthritis and it wouldn't have done her much good as it's very physical.  One of my first ever craft classes was Nuno Felting, so this isn't completely new to me.  It's another new venue and, after I booked it, I realised I don't even know where it is!  Turns out it's in Lincolnshire so it could be up to 2 hours drive for me!!

Well that's the first half of the year sorted for a craft class a month!  Hopefully I can do the same in the second half of the year (or maybe even fit a few more in this half!).  If any of you live in the midlands and have any recommendations for me, please let me know in the comments.  I'll try anything - other than sewing/quilting.  No idea why but I just don't fancy sewing/quilting classes!

The Creative Craft Show 2018 - Offer!

Good morning,  I have been up to my eyeballs in paint and polyfilla for a few weeks now.  A friend is coming to live with me temporarily and I've been getting her room finished.  No time for crafting...  I'm missing it so badly!

I have attended a couple of classes which I'll write about soon, the only problem is, I haven't collected the finished products yet - next week!

Today I've got a very special offer for anyone who enjoys a good craft show.

241 TICKET OFFER

This March, Sewing for Pleasure and Fashion & Embroidery return to the NEC to join The Creative Craft Show for a four-day craft extravaganza. Brimming with supplies and demonstrations, the shows expect to welcome thousands of crafters and would-be crafters through the doors as trends for mindfulness, upcycling and home-made continue to grow.

Taking place at the NEC from 15 – 18 March, visitors will be treated to over 200 stands selling the latest innovations for a multitude of crafts from knitting, cross stitch, paper crafting, jewellery and dressmaking. It’s the perfect opportunity to build your stash or find inspiration for a new mindful hobby.

Make the most of our special reader offer and get 2 tickets for the price of 1! Simply order your tickets online at www.ichfevents.co.uk and enter the code OV101 or phone 01425 277988 quoting OV101

Children under 16 go free when accompanied by an adult.  For more information visit ichfevents.co.uk.

Terms and Conditions:

All prices relate to a one day adult tickets bought in advance. Offer is not valid on the door. Prices: Manchester & Glasgow £8, Birmingham £12, London £10. Phone lines open 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday (4.30 Friday) – standard tariffs apply.  Offer valid until 5pm on the Monday prior to the show, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Use code OV101 at checkout.

I really enjoy the NEC craft shows and I'll be going to this one - anyone else planning on going?