I am teaching myself to make lampwork beads from books and practice and have had some fairly good results in fact even mistakes often look OK and I love doing it.

Can anyone suggest instruction books other than Cindy Jenkins 'Making Glass Beads' ?

I'd really like to know how to get the lovely effects with silver wire and mesh,can anyone give me any hints.

I've not been able to get to any demonstrations or have a lesson.

Yours hopefully Bobbie B.

Hi Bobbie

Nice to meet you!

I think most people would recommend Corinna Tettinger's book "Passing the Flame".

Pricey but deservedly regarded as a "bible" in the lampie world

Hi Bluebottle

Thanks for your reply, I tried Amazon for the book you suggested I was rather shocked at the price! however they were offering 2 others that sounded hopeful and less expensive. I got these Kimberley Adams Glass beadmaking and Creating Lampwork beads by Karon J Leonado, I got these both are helpful and exciting!

I'm hoping to get to the Flameoff at Towcester.

Thanks again Bobbie B

Bobbie, you'll learn so much by watching other people, it's such a great way to pick up confidence and techniques.

Cindy Jenkins book about beadmaking is an excellent book, especially for beginners as it spells things out in very useable sections. 'Passing the Flame' is a good book but it's a bit pricey as you've found out, and I wouldn't think it's as useful for someone just starting out as it's got a lot of more advanced techniques that will be useful after you've felt comfortable with the torch and glass.

The real thing that you need more than anything else is time at the torch. Nothing can replace that.

Good luck!

Hi

I started with Glass beadmaking by Kimberly Adams - and would recommend it for both its content and value for $$.

I won't mention how many books I have now!!!

Karen

Have a look on you tube there are some excellent how to videos on there and there is a lot to learn just from watching other people work, how they hold the glass and mandrel, what their flame looks like, how their workspace is laid out etc etc