Flame March 2018
Find us at
www.gbuk.org
Your committee
Russ
Colette
Debbie
Heather
chairman@gbuk.org
secretary@gbuk.org
treasurer@gbuk.org
Martin
Susan
events@gbuk.org
webmaster@gbuk.org
Joy membership@gbuk.org
In this issue … Torchlight On… by Albert Victor Kirk…..Pages 5-8
Dots ….. Page 4, 10, 11, 17-19
GBUKinsurance … Page 14
Wave bead tutorial…Page 12
Win a Flame Off class Pages 15-16 Three classes up for grabs!
Upcoming events……Page 23
Join GBUK ……Page 24
Dots Dots are probably one of the first things lampworkers learn how to apply. The number of different results you can achieve, just with a dot, is amazing. If you haven’t tried it yet, the 40 bead challenge is an excellent way of inspiring new ideas and honing your skills.
Heather Trimlett’s 40 bead project Read about it here What you need to do here …and show us your results! The beauty of this challenge is that you can quickly learn what colours play nicely with each other and how to make beads without using tools.
Colour combinations to try: Turquoise and ivory Black and white Lapis and sky blue Purple and grey
Torchlight On…
Vic Kirk
My passion for glass began over 50 years ago when I first marvelled at the intricacies of stained glass windows. I am, and have always been, somewhat in awe of the skills of the artisans that made the stained glass and coloured glass in cathedral and church windows. They had a limited palette of colours – which they used to great effect. Later I discovered the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany which inspired me to start making copper foiled terrariums, sun catchers and window panels. I developed my skills and began taking commissions to repair and design leaded stained glass panels in doors and windows.
Fast forward to about 10 years ago – April, my wife, a beader and jewellery maker bought a bag of mixed beads via the internet which contained a few lampwork beads, probably made in India or China. When I saw them I said to myself – that’s my next challenge. However going from the thought to the action was a little more difficult – as supplies and equipment were not readily available.
n 2010 we went to a bead fair at the Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge, as April wanted “a few more beads” for one of her projects, because, apparently, “you can never have too many beads”. It was there I met Martin Tuffnell and as they say – the rest is history. April came home with a small bag of beads and findings and I came home with a boot full of lampwork equipment, tools and glass supplies. I set up my torch in a corner of my shed in the garden and began learning the art of lampworking.
I read books, watched videos, downloaded free tutorials and practised for many hours a week. When I was a little more confident in my abilities I decided to attend some formal classes and workshops. I have had the privilege of receiving tuition from national and international artists, including Di East, Anouk Jasperse, Joy Munshower, Ray Skene, Corinne Tettinger, Amanda Muddimer, Irina Sergeeva, Claudia Trimbur-Pagel, Kristen Frantzen Orr, Kim Fields and Rashan O’Jones. From them I have learnt many interesting techniques that I have been able to incorporate into my own unique lampwork designs.
In 2015 I was able to open my Lighthouse Glass retail studio/workshop in Astwood Bank, Worcestershire. From there I make and sell my lampwork creations, do demonstrations, run taster sessions and courses. I also stock tools, equipment and glass, which I sell by the rod as many lampworkers want variety as against packs of glass.
Last year, over the August Bank holiday I was fortunate to take part in Worcestershire Open Studios, which was very enjoyable and successful. I’m happy to say that I have been included again this year and I am looking forward to welcoming more visitors to see my demonstrations and take part in my have-a-go sessions. The dates this year are August 25/26/27. Please come along if you’re available, I’ll be very pleased to welcome you to my studio.
I like challenges and want to keep developing my skills. I enjoy using silver glass and am enthralled at the colours and effects that come out of the kiln when the beads are annealed. I make my own murrini which I incorporate into beads and miniature paperweights. I have recently started making dichroic, vortex and floral marbles. I also enjoy sculptural lampwork and am working on a few new ideas which I hope to have ready for the Worcestershire Open Studio event.
I go to Flame Off, as an avid learner and as a trader. It is an excellent occasion to meet lampworkers from many different places, to socialise with friends and to make new connections. I get great pleasure from helping out on the torches as it is my way of passing forward the help I have received during my lampworking journey.
I’m looking forward to may more years of discovery and enjoyment and to helping others on their lampworking voyage.
Bon Voyage
Lighthouse Glass
Vic Kirk Lighthouse Glass on Facebook
GBUKmarket www.gbukmarket.org As a member you are entitled to a shop front where you may list your lampworked goods. You will need to register for a shop and wait for an administrator to check your membership is up to date before your shop is activated.
Do make use of it, share it, advertise it, drive customers to look at the only selling site devoted to lampwork from lots of sellers (members).
Promote your shop and sell your beads – it’s there for you as long as you are a member. Have a read through the terms and conditions to see what you can sell. We want to promote lampwork in its many forms and uses and don’t want it to be used for other types of sales so we will be keeping an eye to make sure that’s all that’s being sold. There may still be bugs and issues so please let us know if you come across any.
Dots
Getting those damned dots to behave by Deesignedbeads Making petal implosion beads by Jeannie Cox part 1 (video) Making petal implosion beads by Jeannie Cox part 2(video) Triangle bead tutorial by Jeannie Cox (video) Turning dots into hearts by Jeannie Cox (video)
Lampwork Ladybird Bead Tutorial by Helen Vanek Kidlet tutorial by loribeads Pansy tutorial by Mary Lockwood Creased petal bead by Mary Lockwood On-mandrel implosion bead by Mary Lockwood
Tutorial here
Make a disk about 1 inch in diameter. Try to make the disk layers as thin as possible.
Use a clear rod to place a fairly large dot on the flat side of the disk Hold your mandrel perpendicular to the flame so that the disk is parallel with the flame. After placing the dot wait a second before pulling the rod toward the flame and flame cut just above the disk. Place another dot the same size directly opposite of the first one and another one in between the first two. Don’t touch the mandrel with the dots. Don’t let the dots touch each other. Make the dots as large as possible. Do the same again on the other side of the disk placing the dots in between the ones on the other side. The clear dots, when melted, will travel across the face of the bead creating the wave pattern. The larger the dot, the further across the face it will travel. Melt everything down. Start by melting the tips of the dots where you flame cut them. After these are melted down and even with the edge of the disk then continue to melt into shape. Encase to give the pattern extra depth. Experiment with using twisties to make the initial disk or add coloured dots in between the clear.
Annual Competition 2018 Thought of your Steampunk idea yet? Each year Glass Beadmakers UK (GBUK) holds a lampwork competition. One category, jewellery, is also open to non-members with the criteria that the jewellery must contain lampwork beads. Tell your customers all about it! The theme for 2018 is ‘Steampunk’. The closing date is 30th April 2018. The other categories are: * Newcomers …….. Any form of entry is valid. Newcomers may enter this category OR enter any/all of the main categories. * Bead set ………… multiple beads, on mandrel * Focal bead …… on mandrel, single bead * Sculptural bead …on mandrel * Other …………….. incorporates anything else not included above e.g. cold working, dioramas, off-mandrel
The competition is judged at Flame Off, the annual extravaganza for all things lampwork. Entries must be sent to the competition organiser, and are held as part of the GBUK Collection for one year, after which the pieces are returned to the creator or sold in aid of GBUK, whichever the creator chooses.
Full details can be found on the GBUK website www.gbuk.org
GBUKinsurance We are delighted to announce that GBUKinsurance has been arranged for members. GBUK will administer the insurance cover under a group policy. The insurance will cover all flamework – teaching, demoing and working. The insurance covers GBUKmembers who are UK residents. Unfortunately, we cannot cover overseas GBUKmembers. It provides public and product liability for up to £50,000 turnover and export of your products to UK, EU and worldwide. Please note that coverage cannot be provided for members whose exports to the USA and/or Canada exceed 40% of their total annual turnover. There are two insurance options: If you partially export to the US/Canada you need the US insurance (note above condition)
If you only export to the UK/EU/rest of the world *excluding US/Canada* you need the UK insurance.
Your payment comprises your insurance premium and an administration fee. The total cost of GBUKinsurance is £50 per annum for both insurance options. We have a pro-rata arrangement with the insurance company to fit in with our members. All premiums are inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax, chargeable at 12%. GBUK will provide an up to date list of all participating members to the insurance company. A summary and full policy are available from membership@gbuk.org or downloadable here: Insurance summary The GBUK insurance policy runs from 1st June to 31st May.
Please contact membership@gbuk.org (Joy Porteous) if you wish to purchase GBUKinsurance or have any questions.
Have you taken the survey?
Win a place on Elizabeth Welch’s full day class at Flame Off Thursday 31st May 2018
worth ÂŁ175 Elizabeth specialises in borosilicate (pyrex) sculpture, creating enchanting and whimsical creatures, most of which are created over a 2 or three day period. The day will be spent learning how she prepares the boro colour to work with and how she creates her Narwhale, Octopus and Seahorses. Full details are here: Elizabeth Welch class
To enter, see the entry details here Please send entries to chairman@gbuk.org by 30th April 2018. If you have already purchased a place on the class, and win this competition, your class fee will be refunded to you.
Free entry
Win a place on a Taster Class at Flame Off Choose from: Ceramic Raku Class with Caroline on Friday 1st or Saturday 2nd June
Floriane Lataille taster class on Friday 1st June 2018
worth
Free to
worth
ÂŁ45
enter
ÂŁ75
Caroline is a ceramic artist from the North West of England. She discovered her love for art and desire to create at an early age, working in mediums from paper crafts, to jewellery making, lamp working and traditional art.
This class is designed to show you how to make fine glass beads , wrapping and using fine silver wire , copper wire and copper leaf and then work them into a larger glass bead, including them into your design.
All you need to do is agree to tell us all about your day afterwards in the form of a small article with pictures.
Full details can be found here.
Colette Ladley
Jackie Alty
Joy Porteous
Mark Oldfield
The secret of subtle stripes by Corina Tettinger http://www.corinabeads.com 1. Make a tiny donut shaped bead in light or dark ivory (different ivories produce different results) 2. Add four large dots of ink blue. making sure there is still ivory visible between the dots. The larger these dots, the prettier the result - because with smaller dots too much of the ivory core will show. If you use dark ivory for your core, it may bleed onto the encasing layer if there is too much left of it! 3. In the interval between the ink blue dots, add four large dots in light or dark aqua (again, the results will be different!). Make sure that the aqua OVERLAPS the ink blue on both sides of the dot, as seen in bead number 3 below. 4. Melt the dots flush with the surface (a small bead could already be done at this point, but a layer of encasing accentuates the colours and the effect, because it pulls the dots outwards into "stripes") 5. Encase
GBUKwebsite Did you know: You have your own page in the Gallery? Haven’t got one? Email webmaster@gbuk.org with a short bio and up to 5 photos. Send a link to your own website so visitors to GBUK.org can find you. Photos of winning beads from past winners of our annual competitions can be found here too. There is a members only area with tutorials and techniques - please feel free to send us any tips, tutorials or techniques to share with our members. Do you teach? Let us know so you can be included on our ‘Classes’ page so prospective students can find you. Are you on Facebook? Come and ‘like’ our page. We have lots of non-members that show great interest in the content we post - your beads will be seen by them.
www.gbuk.org GBUKmembership Keep an eye out for reminder emails when your membership is due to expire - or sign up for automatic renewals through Paypal.
www.dragonfireglass.co.uk Adding additional elements to your beads with: Mica powder and flakes
Shards
Brass foil and mesh Copper foil, leaf and mesh
Petal tools
Glass sculpting tools
Mica glitter
Turning dots into hearts by Jeannie Cox (video)
Upcoming events: If you have an event you would like included, please email events@gbuk.org with the details.
15th – 18th March
Sewing for Pleasure, NEC, Birmingham
18th March
Beadworks Fair, Harrogate Pavilions
17th & 18th March
Rock Gem & Bead Fair, Brighton Race Course
24th - 25th March
Rock Gem & Bead Fair, Exeter Race Course
25th March
Wendy’s Beaders, Sturminster
7th April
Mr Bead Show, Luton
8th April
Mr Bead Show, London
7-8th April
Rock Gem & Bead Fair, Musselburgh Racecourse
12th – 14th April
Stitch & Creative Crafts, Shepton Mallet
14th - 15th April
Caroline Weidman Sculptural Class,Tuffnell Glass Studio
15th April
Mr Bead Show, Norwich
19th – 21st April
Creative Stitches & Hobby Crafts, Victoria Docks, London
21st April
The Big Bead Show, Sandown Park , Esther
29th April
Beads Up North Fair, Haydock Race Course
28th -29th April 2029
Rock Gem & Bead Fair, Newark
12th - 13th May
Rock Gem & Bead Fair, Bath
20th May
Devon Bead Fair, Exeter
1st - 2nd June
FLAME OFF, Uttoxeter Racecourse
2nd - 3rd June
Rock Gem & Bead Fair, Kempton Park Racecourse
9th - 10th June
Rock Gem & Bead Fair, Wood Green Sanctuary
17th June
Mr Bead Show, Probus
24th June
Beadworks Fair, Newmarket (new venue)
29th June - 1st July
Creative Crafts, NEC, Birmingham
1st July
Mr Bead Show, Norwich
21st - 22nd July
Rock Gem & Bead Fair, Newcastle
Do you know of a fair/bead gathering/get-together? Let our members know by emailing chairman@gbuk.org with details.
GBUK Membership Form
First name Surname Address
Postcode Trading name (if any) Telephone number Mobile number Email address Website Membership fees and methods of payment.
Membership is valid for one calendar year from the month of joining. Overseas members: please use Paypal. PayPal
£16.00
www.paypal.co.uk to email address: treasurer@gbuk.org
Cheque or postal order
£15.00
payable to GBUK
Bank Transfer
£15.00
Email membership@gbuk.org for details
How did you hear about GBUK? (Please tick any that are applicable) Word of mouth
I’m interested in:
Website
Networking
At a show
Learning new skills
At a class
Writing articles
On a forum
Helping on the committee
Other (please specify)
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Next issue: July 2018 Theme: Beginner beads
Do you have a tutorial or article to share with members? Contact chairman@gbuk.org
www.gbuk.org Cover photo by Joy Porteous