1. Home
  2. Beading Crafts
  3. torch question
  4. Page 4

torch question

You know, I was thinking that with your level of teaching experience, you could probably do quite well by offering an intermediate boro class... you'd have to invest in some extra boroscopes or shade 5's, but I bet a lot of people would be interested, as it's fairly easy to do once you know how, but the knowing how part is faaaarrr from intuitive! Maybe offer them in clinic form... a 3-hour "boro rescue" class with just a couple of people.... teach them the fundamentals of pulling and using canes, and of layering clear to get the best effects.

Just a thought... my hamster wheel is always spinning. :)

I think that when I have my mini-studio up and running, I may do inexpensive intermediate clinics on very specific topics; encasing, reduction frit, silver leaf, florals... so people who are already off to a good start can get just the information they need. I might add boro later on, but I've only been doing it for a year, and only doing it with any proficiency for a few months, so I have a long way to go.

-Kalera

formatting link
formatting link
Louis Cage wrote:

Reply to
Kalera Stratton
Loading thread data ...

That was once my plan. Offer a beginning class in lampworking, then offering intensive classes on particular techniques. I tried it a bit, but in this neck of the woods, there are a lot of people who swear up and down how much they want to learn how to lampwork, but will never follow through. So now I just offer the beginning class and private instruction. I think I said earlier, although I have been doing mostly boro lately, I honestly do not feel like I am the one to be teaching it just yet. I feel I should be able to understand and explain how nearly everything is done (whether I have the ability to do it myself). I get some people who bring in pictures and want to know how to do this or that, and I like the idea of at least being able to describe the process. I would rather miss out on some revenue than give a half-ass class (I have had a couple of those classes and they make me feel cheated). Maybe someday I will get to that point. BTW, I understand Roger Parramore will be doing a one week class in boro at Appalachian Center for Crafts this summer. I have had this class before and if at all possible I will take it again. It is a great class and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in working boro, especially blowing.

Reply to
Louis Cage

In my opinion, because the ways of working the glass are so different, a person who really wants to work boro is far better off *not* starting on soft glass, because that sets up expectations and builds habits that they will then have to break from completely in order to be successful with boro. Boro isn't actually slower to work... you work it hotter, and very close to the torch, compared to soft glass. It would take forever if you were working it in the same flame you use for soft glass, but then you'd be working it cooler, and therefore be unlikely to muddy it.

The basic techniques you learn with soft glass would be pretty unhelpful with boro... even building the canes is different. Since the glass handles differently, a technique you learned in soft glass might be anything from useless to counterproductive in boro. It does help to be comfortable with the flame, at least... but you'd learn that, or not, either way.

-Kalera

formatting link
formatting link
Christ> It is my observation (as a non bead maker) that the longer you work a bead,

Reply to
Kalera Stratton

I know what you mean about not wanting to offer a half-assed class; that's exactly why I wouldn't offer a boro class myself yet. I don't know it well enough, at all! I do about 70/30 soft glass and boro at the moment, and I'm pretty happy with that balance, but it'll take me years to get fully intuitive with the boro.

I would love to take a class from Roger Parramore... maybe someday I'll get a chance to. I want to take a class from Tom Boylan, too.

-Kalera

formatting link
formatting link
Louis Cage wrote:

Reply to
Kalera Stratton

InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.