one (24Apr) items here Beadmaking Projects
	Annealing Your Beads
	Electroforming
	Enamels
	Sandblasting
	Glass: Technical Information     Soft Glass     Hard Glass     General Info

	Glass: Color Charts
	one (4May) items here Safety
	Setting Up Your Studio
	Photograph Your Beads
	Jewelry Making
	Miscellaneous How-Tos
	Also see our Suppliers web page
	Also see our Tips Archive web page

Remember: Your safety is YOUR responsibility.
Our Disclaimer, please read it.

Find a broken link? Have a question? Send a note to Feedback or see our Contact page.
Having trouble with some of the terminology? Study some lampworking glossaries and dictionaries.
Broken link? Pleeeeeeze, let us know!
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Beadmaking Projects

Remember: Your safety is YOUR responsibility.

 

	Anise White Effect, by Jim Smircich, on WetCanvas. And additional info, from Jim's own website.
	Aventurine: Tutorial: Fun with Aventurine, by Margaretz, on WetCanvas. Pulverize the aventurine and use its copper content to create color changes.
	Basic Stripes from Melinda Melanson at Cauldron Creations
	Beginning: How Lampworked Glass Beads Are Produced, a short video on Czech 'production' beadmaking techniques, from importer Amboy Trading. Notice that there is no ventilation, no protection for the eyes, and no annealing. BEWARE: Interesting to watch but DO NOT emulate!
	Beginning: Don't Give Up: Advice for Faith, by Maureen Kennedy. Good advice for getting control of your glass. Thank you, Maureen!
	Beginning: Footprint!! Good advice for beginners on how to create a good footprint and roll up a balanced bead.
	Beginning: Making a Fine Round Bead, from Jim Smircich.
	Beginning: Combed & Raised Design, from Jim Smircich.
	Beginning: An Introduction to Lampworking: The Art of Making Glass Beads, by Ann Schermo Baldwin.
	Beginning: Beadmaking, by Steve Ackman, for beginners. Links to more glass-related FAQ from the same site are here.
	Beginning: Glass Class 101  Links to all the how-to threads on WetCanvas, by title.
	Beginning: How Beads Are Made: The Tools, from Sharon Peters.
	Beginning: How to Make a Bead, by Jodi Lindsay.
	Beginning: How To Make a Bead With Triangles, from Mary Guay at Glassbaker.
	Beginning: Simple Stripes, from Jay Chantell studios. (You need free Adobe PDF Reader to view this page.)
	Bubbles: Fire and Ice Bead Instructions by Jim Anspach. Scroll down towards the end of the interview to find the instructions. The rest of the interview is interesting too!
	Cabochons: Turning Beads into Cabs: A Tutorial, by "gwacie", on WetCanvas.
	Color Control: Black Lace, from Jim Smircich.
	Color Control: Separation Line (getting perfect lines between colors), from Jim Smircich.
	Color Control: How to develop Terracotta color from the Powder Pink Moretti/Effetre color, by Ingrid, on WetCanvas.
	Color Control: How to keep Effetre Electric Yellow transparent, from "drewfritts" on WetCanvas.
	(24Apr)Color Mixing: Color Mixing Charts developed by Kay Powell, are great! See Solid Mixes, Layers, and Enamels. Thank you, Kay!
	Dots: Dot Positioning -- hints, tips, and tricks, on WetCanvas.
	Dots: Triangle Dots, from Kiki Beads. Nicely illustrated.
	Electroforming, see special section below.
	Enamels, see special section below.
	Encasing: Cased Beads is a quick description of how to encase a bead with a layer of transparent glass, from Kiki Beads.
	Etching: Etching Beads with Dip 'N Etch - A how-to page from the manufacturers of a chemical etching product.
	Etching: Tulip Slick Paint is recommended by some for use as a resist. Good coverage, you can see it (as opposed to clear nail polish), and it just peels off (no need for acetone). More.
	Evil Eye Beads  Step-by-step, from Jinx Garza and Mike E.
	Faceting: Bead Faceting Tutorial by Kalera on the Art Glass Forum. (Note: you may have to register to view the demo photos.)
	Finishing: Tea Staining Alternatives, by Kay Powell. For those who strive for the netsuke look for their ivory glass beads, but were puzzled as to what technique and materials to use, look at this site.
	Figurative Beads by Kate Fowle 02Nov00. How to make sculptural pieces.
	Figurative: Making Leaves, Petals, and Flames in a WetCanvas thread, by "Alaskabarb", begins with an introduction to all the types of leaf and petal mashers and shows many examples.
	Fish: Making Lampwork Beads (which is really a tutorial on how to make a fish bead). From Tumbleweed Glass Studio in Texas.
	Fish: What It Takes To Make a Flatfish  Mini-tutorial on fish from Sharon Peters.
	Floating Bubble Bead, also by Jay Chantell Studio Designs, shows you how to make a bead with an air bubble trapped in it. (You need free Adobe PDF Reader to view this page.)
	Florals: Quickie Iris Tutorial, by Ann Schermo Baldwin, with sketch illustrations and example beads.
	Florals: Blooming Beads, Lampwork Floral Beads, by Lauri Copeland, in Lapidary Journal, October, 2002.
	Florals: Floral Tutorial Compilation, by Sofia 757, one of our very own Lampworkers Local 757 members, on WetCanvas.
	Florals: Need Help with Flowers is Kim Fields' detailed instructions on how to make flower, leaf, and fruit beads, with links to illustrations, posted on WetCanvas, by Dawn (GlassPrincess).
	Frits: Making Glass Frit, from Arrow Springs.
	Frits: Using Reduction Frit, tutorial from Arrow Springs.
	Frits: Valorie Cox Frit Testing, from Donna Mehnert. Here you will find detailed and illustrated instructions for many different beads made with Val Cox's frits. (See Suppliers for a link to Val's Frits online store.)
	Frits: Help with using Val's "Jitterbug Raku" frit - -            - "Another raku question" (this one with good pix)

                    - "R108, Raku Frit - tech color theory"

                    - "Color-shift opal/raku/r108 frit"

                    - "Raku Jitterbug Frit"
                   

	Fuming: How To Fume - from a variety of WetCanvas folks. Some very detailed, good quality advice here.
	(8Mar)Goldstone: "What to do with goldstone rods from effetre?" Thread on LampworkETC with some good ideas on how to use goldstone.
	Hearts: How to make a Puffy Heart Pendant, from Jinx Garza.
	Hearts: Twisted Heart How-To, in the Featured Glass Artist Interview: Jennifer Geldard, in WetCanvas. Interview followed by a detailed how-to for her 'signature' twisted heart bead. Lots of good photos of other beautiful beads too.
	Hollow Beads: Hollow Bead Tutorial, by Andree Kosak. (Best advice: "Don't forget to breathe!")
	Hollow Beads: Hollow Bead Project: the Hollow Pillow bead and the Flying Hot Wedgie, by Jim Smircich. WetCanvas thread, illustrated. What a guy!
	Hollow Beads: Tips & Tricks for Making and Cleaning Hollow Beads (or at least covering up the failures), from Sylvus Tarn, a multi-talented crafter.
	Hollow Beads: Hollow Bead Technical Article, from Jim Smircich.
	Inside-Out Bead (or Implosion Bead): Mandrel Wound Implosion Beads Tutorial, from Moth Mary on Lampwork Etc.
	Japanese Technique: Making of Glassbeads [sic] the Japanese way!
	Latticino: Latticcino for Glass Beads, by Kate Drew-Wilkinson, on the Hoover & Strong website.
	Latticino: Latticino Tutorial, by Mona Golan at Flamewerks Glass Studio, located in Burning Stump, South Dakota.
	Latticino: Lollypop Twisty, also from Flamewerks.
	Latticino: How I Make a Complex Looking Twisted Cane, from Steve and Susan Wright at Tumbleweed Glass Studio in Texas. The photo illustrations are a little too small, but the tutorial is very useful.
	Leaves: Mini Picture Tutorial - Offhand Leaves, by Moth on WetCanvas. Offhand leaves are made without a mandrel.
	Leaves: Leaftut (short for 'leaf tutorial), by WhiteHotGlassWorks, on WetCanvas. Illustrated. Build the leaf on the end of a sterling silver wire that is attached to the mandrel. Very simple and very clever!
	Lentils: Garden Party Lentil, from Jan Chantell studios. A simple decorated lentil. (You need free Adobe PDF Reader to view this page.)
	Lentils: How To Make a Lentil, by ChristyLDesigns. Illustrations are very useful.
	Lentils: Making Lentil Beads, by Maureen Kennedy. Using a graphite marble mold.
	Lentils: Making Lentil Shaped Beads Without Spending a Fortune, by Kiki Beads Lampwork, with a four dollar pair of ice tongs from the grocery store.
	Lentils: Lentils getting the shape right for the CBS (Corina Bead Masher) very useful thread on WetCanvas on how to best use the Lentil Masher sold by Corina Tettinger
	Lentils: Tips on getting the hole exactly right
	Lentils: To buy a lentil masher, see Lentil Mashers, on our Suppliers' page.
	Molds & Presses: Cattwalk Tutorials for almost all their molds. Illustrated.
	Molds & Presses: ZooziiPillow and Diamond Tutorials thread also has good pointers for the use of all molds and presses, including the lentil mashers.
	Metals: Copper Foil and Enamels Effect, by Ren� Roberts
	Metals: Copper Leaf and Opal Yellow, from Fergie Beads. Illustrated.
	Metals: Using Copper Leaf, by Teresa Laliberte, is a very simple introductory demo that does not delve into the chemistry of what is happening, which is an interesting part of using copper leaf.
	Metals: Silvered Ivory Stringers, by Kiki Beads Lampwork. Illustrated.
	Metals: Silvered Ivory Stringer tutorial from Cauldron.
	Murrini: Making A Simple Murrine [sic], from Glass Kitchen Studio
	Opalino: Opalino Marbleized Beads by Jacqui Collins Parker, on the Hoover & Strong website.
	Organics: Ocean Moon Bead by Mona Gollan at Flamewerks Studio.  Make a mini-landscape on a bead, complete with moon!
	Painted Beads: Painted Beads 101, by Deborah Read. Paint on your beads and then re-fire to make it permanent. This page is very heavily illustrated, therefore very slow to load. But be patient.
	Pendants: Pushing Technique, by Bob Morey 06Feb01 - for mushroom and jellyfish pendants.
	Pendants: Make a Wigwag. A New Zealand pendant.
	Pendants: Scented Pendant, a hollow glass vessel made at the torch, by Liz Kuhns and Heidiannelisa Broderson, Lapidary Journal, May 2002.
	Pens: Making Glass Pens, from Arrow Springs.
	Pixie Dust: Pixie Dust, from Arrow Springs.
	Pixie Dust: Pixie Dust Color Charts, from Kay Powell. Scroll past the "Pearl-Ex Powders" chart to see the Pixie Dust color chart at the bottom.
	Reduction Glass: Tutorial: Pulling Stringer from Reduction Glass Large-Chunks, from Valerie Cox.
	Ruby Gold & Silver Beads, by Allison Turner on WetCanvas. This technique calls for Rubino Oro (among other colors) over a layer of silver leaf or foil. The tutorial is very well illustrated with numerous examples.
	Ruffles: How to Make a Ruffle Bead, by Jodi Lindsay.
	Sandblasting, see special section below.
	Sets: Making Sets  Very excellent thread (entitled Could be a stupid question, but I have to ask...) on how to get organized, mentally and workspace-wise, for making bead sets. From WetCanvas.
	Shards: Working with Shards, by Val Cox on WetCanvas.
	Shards: Blowing Shards, from old friend Jennifer Geldard. Thank you Jen!! Very well illustrated.
	Silver Tracery Effect is another blockbuster instructional tutorial from our old friend Jim Smircich, posted in a WetCanvas thread.
	Snakeskin Glass Beads, by Lauri Copeland, in Lapidary Journal, October, 2001. Beginner- to- intermediate glass bead project.
	Spiral Wrapped Bead, tutorial by JayChantell Studio Designs. Very nicely illustrated. (You need free Adobe PDF Reader to view this page.) See also Simple Stripes, by the same author.
	Star Bead Tutorial, from Jacinthe, on Lampwork Etc.
	Stringer: Zebra Backs Tutorial, by Ruth (KetchicanSculptor) on WetCanvas. Black and white stripes, spun to fan into a zebra skin design. Well-illustrated.
	Stringer: Stringer Tutorial for the beginner, from Kim Stark at Blue Penguin Studio.
	Twisted Dots  Short tutorial called 'Twistie Tutorial' on WetCanvas. Tutorial by Moth is fourth message down in the thread.
	Venetian Beads: The Making of a Bead Venetian Style/Nicola Vivente, step-by-step illustrated, posted on Chris Fisher's website.
	Vessels: How To Make a Lampwork Vessel, by Jodi Lindsay, shows how to make a small-interior vessel on a big mandrel. From Jodi, see also 'How to Wire Wrap a Vessel'.
	Vessels: Making Glass Core Vessels, from Arrow Springs.
	Zebra Print Bicone Beads, by Beth Boal, at Wet Canvas.

Other Comprehensive How-To Sites:

 

	Australian Glass Beadmakers Guild Tutorials and Helpful Info is a collection of links to tutorials on the web.
	Tutorials Section on Lampwork Etc.  Many interesting tutorials in this dedicated forum. Browse and be happy. Thank you, fellow beadmakers, for sharing your wisdom!!
	LampworkGlassBeads, offering links to hundreds of help sites on the web. Check it out!
	Tutorials from Cauldron Creations  Links to over a dozen online beadmaking projects.
	Robert Mickelsen, step by step: - Tubeworking: Techniques for Blowing Shapes - Making Beads: Introduction, Part 2: The Rudiments, Part 3: Basic Techniques, Part 4: Advanced Techniques - Casing Glass for the Lampworker
	Lapidary Journal's index to their collection of glass beadmaking step-by-step projects that are available on their web site. This is a wonderful resource, despite the fact that they are now charging money for some of the tutorials. ( Lapidary Journal index to feature articles is here.)
	Tutorials & Helpful Info is a links page from the Australian Glass Beadmakers Guild.

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	Annealing Digest, by AlexM on WetCanvas, is a compilation of advice and technical info on annealing, with illustrations of kilns.
	(1Mar)Annealing Cycles, from Mike Aurelius as posted on LampworkETC. Here is his cycle for soft glass: HOLD 960 for 1 hour, 30 minutes Ramp DOWN to 850 over 2 hours (0.83 degrees per minute) HOLD 850 for 10 minutes (the pause that refreshes) Ramp DOWN to ambient over 1 hour (or shut off the kiln)
	Annealing: What Is Annealing? Why Is It Important? and How To Do It. - Excellent instructions from Arrow Springs.
	Paragon Kilns
	Magic Kiln Tactics article on annealing (1995) from Brian Kerkvliet.
	What is Annealing? Why is it important? And how to do it. From Brad Shute.
	Annealing Moretti/Effetre Beads from Kiki Beads. Short explanation of the concept. Very good introduction.

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Electroforming

Remember: Your safety is YOUR responsibility.

	Artist: Ann Davis
	Artist: Art by Fire has some examples of copper electroforming on glass, but not beads.s: Examples of electroformed beads.
	(28Mar)Artist: Electroforming Gallery, work by Janelle Zorko of Pigeon Point Glass, in Seattle.
	Artist: Galerie "Kupfer & Glas" shows work by Bavarian artist Tanja Georgi-Heyer.
	Artist: Kate Fowle Meleney
	Patinas: Patinas for Metal Artists, from The Science Company. Buy the chemicals from them too!
	Supplies: Dalmar Plating. Buy electroforming solution (and kits) here.
	Supplies: Rio Grande sells electroforming supplies and solution.
	Supplies: Safer Solutions, Inc. sells the water-based conductive paint, called 'Conductor'.
	Supplies: Samson Electroforming Kit seems a bit excessive, but is a handy checklist of elements.
	Supplies: Tink's Full Set Up. Buy a complete electroforming kit (except for the solution) from Tink Martin for $345, including shipping.
	Technique: Electroforming on Beads, by Kate Fowle, in Lapidary Journal magazine. (October 2000).
	Technique: Kate Fowle Meleney's own website Tips: Electroforming on Beads.
	Tips: The Copper Bath is a page of tips and directions from Safer Solutions, Inc. Helpful!!
	(28Mar)Tips: Electroforming from Dalmar Plating.
	-->To suggest new artists, items, and links for this new Electroforming section, please contact us.

	Colors: Thompson Enamels Color Chart, showing each of the 39 colors in the Series 9000 (compatible with Effetre/Moretti glass) enamels, fused on a plain white glass rod. Created by Kay Powell.
	Supplies: American Art Clay Co. - makes Versa Color enamels - follow the links on the website to find retailers.  - Versa Color Oil-based Enamels  - Versa Color Water-based (lead free) Enamels
	Supplies: Schlaifer's Enameling Supplies  Sells Thompson's enamels, especially formulated for use on Moretti/Effetre glass. Also sells enameling accessories, such as sifters, kits, kilns, etc.
	Supplies: Thompson's Enamel, Inc.   Special formulation for compatibility with Effetre/Moretti glass. Order directly from the manufacturer.
	Technique: Enamels and How to Use Them, by Laura Brito, on WetCanvas. This article covers safety, storage, ventilation, and clean-up. There is very little here on decorative or application techniques. But for safety issues with regard to enamels, this is an excellent introduction.
	Technique: Enameling FAQs from Schaefer's  Messy site, but it's full of useful tips and tricks. Schaefer's sells Thompson enamels.
	Technique: Expand Your Effetre Color Palette With Thompson Enamels by Kate Fowle 24May00
	Technique: Watercolor Effects with Enamel and Glass, by Carolyn Driver, in WetCanvas. A short how-to for floral-look beads, well-illustrated.

	Artist: Diana East  Examples of exquisite sandblasted glass beads.
	Organization: Sandcarver.org  New organization and website devoted to "the artists and businesses that create images in glass and stone, using abrasive blasting techniques".
	Safety: Preventing Silicosis and Deaths From Sandblasting, from the Centers for Disease Control,  NIOSH ALERT: August 1992; DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-102.
	Supplies: Buttercut Sandblasting Resist from Alpine Stained Glass. Recommended.
	Supplies: Cyclone Manufacturing makes a full line of sandblasters, all sizes all applications. See detailed specs here.
	Supplies: NIOSH-Approved N95 Disposable Particulate Respirators. Check this list for suppliers' links.
	Supplies: Sandblasters from Centre de Verre, units by Cyclone Manufacturing.
	Supplies: Vitrum Studio, in Beltsville MD, rents time on a "sandblaster, various grinders, saws and other cold working equipment to help you complete your projects professionally."
	Technique: Lampworked Sandblasted Beads by Bronwen Heilman. Click on each page of a two-page magazine article by Bronwen in Lapidary Journal in 1998. Also click to begin a very detailed slide show on sandblasting glass beads that she gave at the Gathering in 2000. Good material! Very detailed.
	Technique: Photoresist - And Overview, by Tony Smith on Sandcarver.com
	Technique: Sandblasted Glass web page on the Sundance website. Includes tools, books, videos, and examples.
	(To suggest new items and links for this new Sandblasting section, please contact us.)

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Glass: Technical Information

Remember: Your safety is YOUR responsibility.

Soft Glass 

	(18Mar)Effetre/Moretti: Moretti Effetre Characteristics Chart from Chris Fisher, includes annotation on each color. Very interesting!
	Effetre/Moretti: Discussion of the usefulness and workability of each color of Moretti/Effetre. From Fritts Art Glass, scroll to the bottom of the page for the chart.
	Effetre/Moretti: Reactive Moretti/Effetre Colors. Thread on WetCanvas about all those unusual reactions between different glass colors, including samples, and suggested reactive groups to try.
	Effetre/Moretti: Chart explaining different capabilities of each color of Moretti/Effetre glass. By AlexM on WetCanvas.
	Lausha: Tips N Tricks for working Lauscha's Transparent Red, by Leslie Belanger, on GlassDaddy's website.
	Lausha: Tips N Tricks for working Lauscha's Buckhorn, by Kim Affleck, on GlassDaddy's website.
	The Mysteries of Dichroic Glass, by Brian Kerkvliet, 1996. A little dated, but still interesting. Links on this page to a dozen or so other how-to pages on myriad topics, written by Brian.

Hard Glass

	A Beginner's Guide to Glass Alchemy Colored Borosilicate, by Drew Fritts. Twelve pages, very comprehensive.
	Northstar Glassworks   Makers of Northstar borosilicate glass. See their Users' Manual. If you go to their home page and click on 'Products', then click on 'Color', you will get a list of all their colors. Adjacent to the color name is a little image of a camera. If you click on the camera, another small window will open showing you a bead or two made from that color.
	Notes on the Compatibility and Use of Northstar Brand Borosilicate Glass (1994) with a useful chart, from Robert Mickelsen.
	Bullseye Glass Properties detailed in a web page entitled 'Bullseye Marbles', by Drew Fritts. Useful tips and instructions about how to best handle Bullseye glass in the torch, including working properties of each color. Very comprehensive.
	Bullseye Glass Online Technical Information  - Tip Sheets and "Technotes" from Bullseye, including info on compatibility and annealing.

General Info

	Discussion of viscosity vs. COE, on WetCanvas, with links to more information.
	General discussion of glass compatibility, entitled Glass Types and Forms: Beginning With a Discussion of Glass Compatibility, from WarmGlass.
	Stringer Test for Glass Compatibility, how-to from Arrow Springs.
	Chart showing various working temperatures - annealing, slumping, fusing, etc. for various types of glass. This site is maintained by Mike Firth, a glass hobbyist who works full time in a hardware store.
	Technical: Weights, Frit sizes, Compatibility Tables and Tests, COE Tables, from CRLoo.

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Glass: Color Charts
Remember: Your safety is YOUR responsibility.

(Beware of the very real and very significant differences among computer monitors in their ability to render colors accurately. Choose glass colors from online color charts with an open mind and a sense of adventure.)

	Effetre/Moretti Glass (see also Soft Glass Technical Information) - WetCanvas Color Properties Project color chart - a chart with notes on the working properties of each color in a column next to the sample. - WC! Glass Art Forum Color Mixing Chart 1 (Solids) and Chart 2 (Layers) - These very detailed charts describe how to mix up new colors using the existing Moretti/Effetre palate. Chart 2, the Layers chart, shows how to make new colors by encasing one color with another. Very interesting stuff! - Gemfox - Sundance - C.R. Loo - Heritage Glass - Cauldron Creations (for other colors, follow the links) - Chris Fisher Art - BeadFX
	Partial Czech Glass Color Chart from Jan Burrows. There are samples shown for only about a third of the colors, which is a shame. (Beware of this site: it generates pop-ups galore, very annoying.)
	Lauscha Glass - Lauscha Glass Color Chart from "Glass Daddy" - Lauscha chart from C.R. Loo

 

Bullseye   - Bullseye color chart, from Alpine Stained Glass - Bullseye colors, scanned by Cauldron Creations

           

Borosilicate glass - Color samples, organized by color family on different web pages, from Glass Alchemy. - Olympic Color Site chart for Kugler, Reichenbach, and Zimmerman glass. Check out the excellent 'Compare Colors' feature on the Olympic site. You can pick a color and pick a line and compare all the variations in that color. Very useful! - Sample color beads of 35 boro colors from "LLuvia Brito"

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	Equipment: Connecting Pressure Regulators. Tip from Arrow Springs
	Equipment: Connecting Torches: Installing And Using Oxygen Mix Torches. Tip from Arrow Springs
	Etching: Etching Beads with Etchall Dip N' Etch  from the fine folks at the Etchall company. Browse the other Instructions and Tips for additional useful data.
	Eyes: Choose the correct eye protection with the help of Aura Lens. See their page entitled Glass & Metalworkers Filters - Technical Information for assistance in selecting exactly the right level of protection for the work that you do.
	Eyes and Skin: The Unknown Health Hazard, by Laura Brito at WetCanvas. Warnings and suggested protections from UV and IR rays originating from your glass beadmakers' torch flame.
	Forum: Art Glass Answers, from Bill Brachhold and Dale Meisenheimer. These two know everything about everything and woe to you if you disagree!
	General: Flameworking Health and Safety Guidelines from Brian Kerkvliet.
	General: General Discussion->> Safety Issues Forum from ISGB. Ask questions; get answers. Be safe.
	General: Glass Safety and Technical Info from Glass Alchemy
	(4May)General: Safety Forum on Lampworketc. -- Get answers and ask questions from your peers.
	General: Studio Safety 101 thread on WetCanvas by Mike Aurelius, of AuraLens. Good summary of many important safety issues with regard to torches, regulators, and eye protection.
	General: Lampworking (Flameworking) Health and Safety Guidelines from Sundance.
	Hands: Take special care of your most important tool, your hands: Special Tools, Special Care by Kristina Logan, in Lapidary Journal.
	Material: The EPA's Vermiculite Report U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Fact Sheet/Q&A: Asbestos-Containing Vermiculite. For more on the dangers of vermiculite, see the EPA's vermiculite page. EPA Press Release on Vermiculite (22Aug00) Here's a highlight: The "EPA's report raises questions about the potential risk to workers who may use vermiculite products on a regular basis and face significantly greater exposures." According to an AP story on the report, the five most dangerous brands are Earthgo's Best, Hoffman's, Schultz Horticultural, and Ace Horticultural Grade. The worst is Earthgo. Check your brand! Regular users are advised to work in a well-ventilated area and to keep the vermiculite damp to avoid raising breathable dust. Note: You will need to download a free, small viewer application, called Acrobat Reader. to view these EPA reports. Download it at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html Most US government reports and data will be distributed online in this format, so if you intend to research government information online, you will use Acrobat Reader again many times.
	Ventilation: Safety Information - NOx Emissions from Your Torch, by Stan Wolfersberger. On the ISGB web site.
	Ventilation: Protect Your Health with Proper Studio Ventilation,  by Charles Lewton-Brain, May 2000 - - From Crafts Report magazine. Offers good tips about proper studio ventilation. Take a look.
	Ventilation: Carbon Monoxide FAQs, from Kidde

	Ventilation: Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odorless poisonous gas produced by "incomplete combustion of any torch fuel" (Kervin, 244). The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning "can cause symptoms that are easily mistaken for other diseases", particularly the flu and chronic fatigue syndrome. See the report from the State Medical Society of Wisconsin for more details. See also another short and clear report from California Poison Control.
	Ventilation: Help Me Chose a Carbon Monoxide Alarm, from First Alert.
	Ventilation: Industrial Ventilation Guidelines, from the State of Washington's Department of Labor and Industries, Policy and Technical Services division.

	Bead Release: Using 'Sludge' Mandrel Release, from Arrow Springs, is basically an advertisement for Sludge brand bead release, but the article does contain some good general advice for use of bead release.
	Equipment: Brad Shute's Q and A on Lampworking Equipment  Detailed discussion of studio set up, with prices. Useful.
	Ergonomics: Stand and Deliver, by Robert Mickelsen.  Ergonomics for lampworkers. Contains some interesting suggestions.
	Example: Beadmaking studio Workspace Pictures from D.A. Clarke: How to set up a functional workspace and what it looks like.
	Example: The Bead Shack, by Neatobeado. This really something to envy.
	Example: "Can I See Your Work Area?" See dozens of pictures of glass beadmakers' work spaces here on this forum thread from WetCanvas. Get ideas and tips for ventilation, rod storage, tool storage, and so forth, just by looking and studying the photos.
	Example: See pictures of glass artists' studios here, on glassartists.org.
	Gas: Connecting Pressure Regulators, from Brad Shute.
	General: An Introduction to the Lampworker's Studio, by Laura Brito, on WetCanvas
	Kilns: Basic Comparison of Small Bench-Top Annealing Kilns with Digital Controllers, by "Heather/Ericaceae" on WetCanvas.
	Oxygen: Free Yourself From Those Burdensome Oxygen Tanks, by Jim Kervin. Short explanation of what the oxygen concentrator is and how it works. Useful for those researching the alternatives to the big pressurized tanks. (See also OGSI Oxygen Generating Systems Inc.,  maker of the OG-15 oxygen generator.)
	Oxygen:  It's a Tankless Job... Using DME Oxygen Concentrators for Lampworking, by De Clarke.
	Storage: How To Store Your Glass Rods   Three threads from WetCanvas on various methods and set-ups for efficient rod storage in your studio. Glass Rod Storage Easy Simple Glass Rod Storage Organizing glass question
	Tools: Care Of Your Tools, from Sundance Art Glass Center.  Tips for use of metal and graphite tools in studio glass work.
	Tools: Tools that didn't work for you?  This is a thread on WetCanvas that turned into a very useful tools I love/tools I don't like thread. Read it and avoid costly mistaken tool purchases.
	Torches: Torch comparison - Barracuda, Lynx, Phantom, by Lewis Wilson on WetCanvas. For those thinking of upgrading from a Minor, look at this very technical comparison of torch efficiency. For a tiny bit more on each torch see: Bethlehem Barracuda Bench Burner
	Torches: Installing and Using the Minor Bench Burner, by Brad Shute.
	Ventilation: Hot Glass Studio Part 2, by Laura Brito, on WetCanvas. The subject at hand in Part 2 is ventilation, with many pictures of beadmakers' studios' ventilation systems.

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Photograph Your Beads
Remember: Your safety is YOUR responsibility.

Below are a collection of articles and other resources to help you make the best possible photographs of your work, whether they are for eBay or to include in juried show applications.

	Books: See our review of Steve Meltzer's book Photographing Your Craftwork: A Hands-On Guide for Craftspeople. Order it, from The CraftsReport Book Club.
	Books: - Jerry Anthony's recommended reading list:     How To Photograph Works of Art, by Sheldon Collins     Photographing Your Artwork, by Russell Hart     Photographing Your Craftwork: A Hands-On Guide for Craftspeople, by Steve Meltzer     Photography for Artists and Craftsmen, by Claus-Peter Schmind
	Cameras: Do You Really Need a Digital Camera? Questions to Ask Yourself Before Diving Head-First Into This Modern Technology, by Steve Meltzer, in CraftsReport, November 1999.
	Cameras: Show Me Your Beads and Name The Camera thread on WetCanvas, great for anyone who is camera shopping. Apart from a dazzling array of example bead pix, this thread is an interesting 'vote', as it were, on which camera is the fan favorite for close-up work.
	Cameras: Taking bead pictures with the Sony Mavica FD73 or FD75, by Jinx Garza. The indoor/indirect sunlight method. Fully illustrated.
	Cameras: Three web sites for in-depth reviews of digital cameras: www.dpreview.com - - This one in particular is very highly recommended. http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html - - Steve's Best Cameras - - Rankings and ratings are always changing as new models are introduced. www.dcresource.com
	Equipment: Build a Portable Diffuser for pennies and in no time at all. Use it to photograph beads on the windowsill. From Studio 1-F.
	Equipment: Digital Photography How-To: Building a Light Tent, from Creativepro.com. "A light tent ... gives you better results when photographing small objects up close. Here's how to do it."
	Equipment: Graduated Background Paper - Buy the Varitone Graduated Background paper here, available by the individual sheet.
	Equipment: My Photo Studio, from Brad Pearson, on WetCanvas. Shows a good, serviceable tabletop set-up, using diffusers to soften the light. It would be easy and cheap to build, since it's constructed of half inch PVC.
	Equipment: Photographing Beads, from Mari Johnson. Short and sweet. Your own indoor light box.
	Equipment: The Cloud Dome  An expensive contraption used to minimize reflective hot spots on small shiny photo subjects, such as beads. Order directly from the manufacturer.
	Equipment: Is a Scanner in Your Future? With Rapid Technological Improvements, Sophisticated Equipment is Becoming Affordable, by Steve Meltzer, in CraftsReport, February 1998.
	Technique: Shot photos of your beads UNDERWATER for outstanding results! This is a great way to eliminate all the hotspots and reflections. Bravo, Val!
	Technique: CameraJim's eBay Photo & Lighting Tips   Advice for creating good pix of small-scale items. Includes illustrations.
	Technique - Lapidary Art: Basic Jewelry Photography, from Amy O'Connell Jewelry.
	Technique - Can't See the Forest for the Beads? " To Photograph Beads for High Impact, Find a Point of Focus", by Steve Meltzer, in CraftsReport, February 1999.
	Technique - Digital Imaging for Glass Beads, by Lori Greenberg, posted on WetCanvas. Describes photo set-up and - more valuably - how to use features of the photo editing program Adobe Photoshop Elements to fix your digital images of glass beads. Very succinct and very useful! (Buy Photoshop Elements from Amazon for less than a hundred dollars.)
	Technique: Glass Bead Photography Techniques-Underlighting and Reflections for Special Effects. This website, Tabletopstudio, also offers photography equipment for sale.
	Technique: Improve your Glass, Bead & Jewelry Photographs, by Dale Lynn, Contributing Editor on WetCanvas.
	Technique: Making Objects Appear to Float on Black Background, discussion thread on Photo.net. Interesting suggestions on how to get that very cool look.
	Technique: Photographing Enamels, from 'eNAMELS' online newsletter. Very concise description of the digital process, from set-up to editing. Especially useful here is the description of the background.
	Technique: Techniques for Shooting Jewelry, from webphotoschool.com, geared toward the professional photographer.
	Technique: Tips on Taking Pics of Dichroic, by Erik Anders, on the Dichroic Alchemy web site.
	Technique: Photo Tips for Metalsmiths from the Society of American Silversmiths, by Cynthia Eid. All these tips are applicable to photographing beads.
	Technique: Procedures for taking a picture of small objects with a digital camera. Wonderfully demoed by a charming lady in a kimono!

	Technique: Removing or Replacing Backgrounds using PaintShop Pro. Nice tutorial from Jay Chantell Studio Designs. Well-illustrated and clear.
	Technique: "A Good Way to Photo [sic] Beads" , a very copiously illustrated and smartly detailed thread from the WetCanvas forum, written by Mark Wilson. All his suggestions with regard to lighting and so forth are applicable to the Cloud Dome, above, as well as his wonderful ice cream tub.

	Collaborators: Find-A-Jeweler - This is neat! According to the web site, "find the best jewelers in your area�jewelers who are willing and able to work with you to supply�or create�the accessories that make your style. Created to help you find YOUR jeweler, one to call your own�whose expertise, design capabilities and special services you can trust and whose line of products and location closely match what you're looking for". Use the advanced search feature to limit by more than one parameter, such as by state and by service. The web site is sponsored by Rio Grande. If you make jewelry, you can register for free. Take a browse and maybe find that perfect collaborator.
	Design: Designer Lampwork Jewelry: Making Beads into Profitable Sales. If you are making beads and bead sets for sale, you might be interested in this website. It has been created by Diane Crockett at Spirit Art Works. She describes many of the attributes that jewelry designers are looking for when shopping for lampworked beads to use in craft (as opposed to 'fine') jewelry. It includes color combination suggestions as well.
	Enameling on metal:            - Enamelist Society            - Enamel Gallery, from eNAMEL, feast your eyes!            - eNAMEL online newsletter - advanced stuff here            - Glass on Metal: the Enamelist's Magazine            - Enameling section of Ganoksin's Jewelry Making Library            - Society of Dutch Enamellers - nice gallery            - Enameling: Torch Firing by Deborah Lozier (2004) in Ganoksin            - Book: The Art of Enameling: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration (2004) by Linda Darty
	Finishing: Tumble-Polishing Metal Jewelry, article from Lapidary Journal, 1999 and Tumble Polishing Jewelry, by Barrie, a beginner beadmaker and silversmith in British Columbia.
	Fold Forming: A fascinating way to make metal do great things. The current "guru" is Charles Lewton-Brain:

                       - Book - Forming Using Metal Characteristics, by the guru himself, Charles Lewton-Brain
                       - Introduction to Fold Forming
                       - Ganoksin/Orchid collection of five online articles on fold forming by the same author
                       - Tutorial by Pam Jeffries
                      

	General: A gold mine of jewelry making Tips and tricks from Rio Grande.
	General: Jewelry Making - What a Beginner Needs to Know, from WigJig. The basics!
	General: Ganoksin.com  "The Gem and Jewelry World's foremost Resource on The Internet."
	General: Metalsmithing for Lampworkers -- An Online Tutorial  A four-lesson online course from St. Louis beadmaker Jane Clark.
	Information: Conversion Chart: Gauge, Inches, mm, from Kitco. Use this chart to muse about tube size for silver core beads.
	Materials: Precious Metal Clay Precious Metal Clay Guild Home Page - This is a very snappy web site. Visit it just  to see it's delightful design. The Alchemy of Precious Metal Clay:  With PMC, jewelry makers turn clay into  silver or gold, by Nina Cooper, in Lapidary Journal, April 1998. Society of American Silversmiths: Precious Metal Clay Order Timmy McCreight's book Working With Precious Metal Clay,  from Brynmorgan Press
	Materials: Silver Primer, on the Lapidary Journal website. For those who work with silver, both fine silver and sterling silver, learn more here about its properties.
	Patinas: Coats of Many Color, by Deborah A, Yonick. "By applying patinas, designers can bring new textures to their work - and add a few surprises." On the Hoover & Strong website.
	Patinas: How to Use Liver of Sulfur, by John A. Foutz, on monsterslayer.com.
	(13Feb)Patinas: Patinas for Metal Artists, from The Science Company. Buy the chemicals from them too!
	Project: End-of-the-Mandrel Pendant Tutorial, by Jennifer Geldard, posted on WetCanvas. Make a simple double-loop finding for a pendant focal bead. Epoxy is used to secure it in place.
	Project: Riveted and Silver Core Bead Tutorial, in a WetCanvas thread by "Tink". Text only, not illustrated.
	Project: How to Make a Wire Bail, from K.T. in Virginia. Easy! Has many possibilities.
	Project: Jewelry Making Projects from The Beadshop. Over thirty separate and very well-illustrated online lessons.
	Project: Sterling headpins with glass ball ends from WetCanvas.
	Supplier: Harbor Freight, that excellent hand and power tool store, as retail stores in five mid-Atlantic states. Order online too.
	Supplier: MetalCyberspace - Moderne Metal  provides links to dealers of early 20th century jewelry.
	Technique: Braiding as a way of setting off big focals, see picture below. - Chinese Knotting Tutorials, from La Stella Celeste - Chinese Knots & Beads for Jewellery, from Suzen Millodot - Books on Kumihimo & Braiding, from Mountain Loom Company - See examples in this WetCanvas thread
	Technique: Crimping SoftFlex and Other Cords, from www.beadshop.com. How to correctly use the special crimping pliers with SoftFlex beading wire. Well-illustrated. Make a secure closure! (And learn how to hide those ugly crimps with a Crimp Cover.)
	Technique: Crimp Forming Animation - Fairly cool. See also Bead Crimping Pliers for additional help on bead stringing.
	Television Show: Beads, Baubles, and Jewels a new program from PBS.
	(20Feb)Tool: Industrial Tube Wringer, to make small "repetitive micro-fold forms". This is item #115-029 from Rio Grande. (It is also available from Connie Fox, here.) - Modify it so you can apply more pressure, suggested by Ganoksin readers. - Terms and Appropriate Vocabulary for Metal Corrugation, on Ganoksin. - Book: Repetitive Micro-Fold Forms Using an Industrial Tube Wringer: Small Scale Applications for Jewelry and Sculpture, by Jack Berry (2001) is Item # 550-057 from Rio Grande. - Bigger 8" version from Bonny Doon (and the book Metal Corrugation by Patricia McAleer (book is item # 550-061 from Rio Grande).
	Wireworking: The Wire Artist Jeweller (sic) http://www.wag.on.ca/ This is a web site for a Canadian magazine on wire wrap jewelry. There are good links and a few projects, very well illustrated. We haven't seen the actual magazine yet, but if it's as well-done as the web site (despite the typo, above) then it ought to be pretty good. If anyone has a copy, let us know!

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	Interactive Color Chart - This is waaaaay cool. Use this to try out various combinations of colors, according to the 'rules' of the game - contrast, tetrad, triad, etc. Play with all the buttons!!
	Clean Glass Out Of Your Torch  - Emergency, emergency! Few of us have spare torches. Here are a few ideas on how to clean glass out of the gas ports on your torch tip, from LampworkETC folks. CAUTION: Wear eye protection!
	Open House: Ideas for Open House thread on LampworkETC has good tips in how to stage a studio open house / trunk show.
	Chevron Beads: Experiments in Grinding Chevron Beads, by Jamey Allen on Beadbugle.com.
	Collection of How-Tos and Links, from http://www.lampworkglassbeads.com/. Excellent resource! Who are these people!??
	Cockadoo's Tutorials is another master list of tutorials for glass beadmaking, compiled by the fine folks at Cockadoo's Art Glass, in Australia.
	Pricing Glass Beads, essay by Jane Clark
	P�te de Verre - Castalot re-usable mold material. Use this to make your own re-usable molds. - Colour de Verre Glass Casting System - Pre-made re-usable molds for p�te de verre. Conventional designs. - Shop Tour - P�te de verre, from E/M Studio Glass, is an illustrated intro to the process. - What is P�te de Verre? from Alice Korach at lostwax.com - Book: P�te de Verre and the Kiln Casting of Glass, (1997) by Jim Kervin and the legendary Dan Fenton. The book is out of print, so may be hard to find. Look at the more recent suggestions that Amazon offers.
	Clean the Bead Release from Your Beads Efficiently This is the equipment you need:      1)-  Cordless Dremel rotary tool, either the #750-02 MINIMITE� Cordless Rotary Tool or the          #7700-01 7.2V Cordless MultiPro� Rotary Tool Kit. Do not use any machine near water that is not          either rechargeable cordless or battery-operated.  (Buy the MINIMITE here on Amazon.com.)       2)-  Diamond-plated bead reamer tip, to fit the rotary tool. For example, use the 1/8" shanked tips you    can buy from Rio Grande is item #111-014, a three-tip kit for $6. (The end of the reamer tapers to a very thin diameter, so it ought to fit into the smallest bead holes. Just beware of jamming it in too tightly and getting it stuck.)      3)-  Running water.       Directions - Tie and pull back all long hair, long necklaces, floppy blouses, and anything else that might get caught. Sit or stand in front of the sink and hold the bead hole up under the running water as you ream out the bead release from the top. Be sure to protect your drain from swallowing too much of the bead release, or you may have plumbing problems sometime down the road. There are some beadmakers who block the drain with a flat paper towel, which (supposedly) catches the dead release, but allows the water to drain out. Test this to make sure it works.
	Glue: This To That is a interactive relational database on gluing. Enter the material you want to glue and the surface you want to glue it to, and the website returns a brand name glue recommendation, with additional info (e.g. set up time) and links. Nifty!
	Color Theory from colormatters.com. If you have a few minutes, explore this site and learn something new about color.
	Forum: Glass Line's Bulletin Board  This discussion forum boasts of over 2,600 messages that can be searched. Might find advice here on something you're wondering about.
	Miscellaneous How-To's and other essays from Robert Mickelsen's web site.
	A collections of essays, most at least five years old, from Brian Kerkvliet's site.
	Kate Fowle's Tips
	"Journey of a Thousand Beads", by Dale Lynn, from WetCanvas. The story of how an otherwise normal person became a glass beadmaker.
	Forum: Help and Advice from the Society of Glass Beadmakers Use the Search Function on the SGB discussion Forum to search for past or current messages on any subject. You can search either for messages containing a certain keyword or keywords, or for messages posted by a specific individual. To search the 'Archives', you must register and then log in. Despite the bother of using it and the time spent in slogging through a lot of nonsense, this is a good resource. You may also post questions, answer questions, or just read and learn on the Forum. Most exchanges are of the 'How-To' variety, although this is changing.