I respectfully disagree - I use it as more of a reference, because he focuses on safety and equipment. Even if you don't read the book cover to cover (that can get very tedious, I agree), it's perfect as a reference when you are setting up a studio. Ms. Jenkins didn't cover safety enough in either of her books, IMO. Lampworking can be very dangerous if you don't know what you need to know about your equipment and about safety. :)
I agree on the safety issue with you 100%.
I don't know why this didn't post, cause I tried to do it early yesterday, but thank you, Pam for sharing your numbers, too! Now I have a couple sets to compare.
Yesterday, DH and I took the kids up to the nearest large town, to go to Hobby Lobby for more hemp twine, and we passed an Artisan Gasses Supplier! I had no idea that we had one of those there, but there it was...a big ole sign on the front saying they catered to lampworkers, among other things! I just thought that with my posing this question on here, that was too coincidental. :)
Candace
bead making gets further and further away with every new set of numbers posted. But I'm just feeling waaaaaaaaaaay to passionate about this hobby/art to give up the idea totally. Someday, I'll be able to venture into the bea making fray! :) Until then, I'll just sit back and admire everyone else's creations...
btw, Kandice..I've been meaning to tell you---I am SO in love with your work...I had my very first KLUNK while checking out your first gallery page...I just sat there and drooled for about an hour...and then called DH over and he drooled with me!!! This was really surprising for me, because pink is SO not on my "colors to consider" list....until I saw what you did with it, of course :) And also...your lampworking was the deciding factor in my changed attitude towards lampwork beads...until I saw what you've done..I was never interested in lampwork beads. Now I can't get enough eye candy!
Thanks so much!
Candace
I respectfully disagree - I use it as more of a reference, because he focuses on safety and equipment. Even if you don't read the book cover to cover (that can get very tedious, I agree), it's perfect as a reference when you are setting up a studio. Ms. Jenkins didn't cover safety enough in either of her books, IMO>
ditto - I second that - BUY Jim's book - for the safety if nothing else!
Cheryl last semester of lawschool! yipee! DRAGON BEADS Flameworked beads and glass
Wow - that's so sweet! :) If you're passionate about getting into lampwork, there are more inexpensive ways than the route I took. You can get some pretty good deals on ebay these days. There are a couple of stores on ebay that have kits that are worth looking into. Here are some links:
For a starter kit, just to learn the basics, and not including an annealer, you can get by with an initial expense of under $150. That would include a single-fuel torch like a Hot Head, a glass sampler, a box fan for rudimentary ventilation, and some basic tools.
The next step up would be to spend about three hundred on a small oxy/propane torch, regulator, hoses, and oxygen concentrator. Another one to four hundred (depending on your handiness level) buys you good ventilation.
The next step above that would be to get an annealing oven, starting at about $600.00.
To outfit a professional studio, I would budget around $3000.00, not including furniture and any building modifications.
-Kalera
Exceedingly more useful and if I could only have one book, that's the one I would choose.
I started making beads on a Hot Head after a single demo in my friend's kitchen. I didn't have any books, and wouldn't for several years. I've still never seen a video or taken a class.
I wouldn't recommend that course of action, because it took me ages to get any good at it... but it can be done. If you have to. If you DON'T have to do it that way, you will get good so much faster!
-Kalera
In my opinion, it is a must-have reference book. You don't need to read it straight through, and if you have a Hot Head you probably don't need it at all, but if you have an oxy-propane torch and a kiln, it is invaluable. It thoroughly covers 90% of all the technical questions posted on WC, and, IMHO, everyone with an oxy-propane setup should have it.
-Kalera
Oh, I could have saved my breath and said "Yeah, what she said".
-Kalera
I agree. And the longer I own it, the more I get out of it.
I'll be honest here: I bought Corina's book as soon as it came out. I sold it a month later. Why? Because I had gotten everything out of it I could. The Kervin book and Dunham's set keep feeding my brain. It's awesome!
Note: I am not dissing Corina's book... It's pretty, but it left me intellectually hungry.
Tink the Info Junkie Rent-A-Tink Info via snipped-for-privacy@blackswampglassworks.com Latest Work is here:
Sooz
------- "Those in the cheaper seats clap. The rest of you rattle your jewelry." John Lennon (1940 - 1980) Royal Varieties Performance ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links
Corina's book is an excellent addition to or substitute for taking a beginner class, especially if you don't have the money or access to a beginner class. It has wonderfully detailed instructions and pictures, and will get you farther in mastering the basic techniques than any of the other books. Once you'e mastered the basic techniques, it's no longer useful, and may as well be passed on to another beginning beadmakers. Kervin's book is simply in another leage.
-Kalera
LOL - Corina's book is one I look at all the time, as well. I guess I would never sell any of my lampworking books.
I loved it! And I *really* wished I'd had it earlier... like last summer when I first switched to oxy-propane. I just found that once I'd done everything in the book, never went back to it... but you've inspired me to open it up again and see what I'm missing. :)
-Kalera
Exactly. I just need more "meat" or something. Every time I re-read Kervin or Dunham, I find something new. I fell asleep last night reading about silver nitrate. Might explain why I have such bizarre dreams sometimes. LOL!
Tink (With a Soozala bead up on her site. LOL!) Rent-A-Tink Info via snipped-for-privacy@blackswampglassworks.com Latest Work is here:
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