The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking (Lark Books $19.95 US; $25.95 CAN) by Kimberley Adams takes you step-by-step through a large array of lampwork bead-making techniques. This 176 page volume explains how to get started making lampwork beads, then moves on with detailed instructions for making a basic bead, and from there it covers 16 different techniques for advancing your glass bead making skills. Along with work by the author, guest artists Kate Fowle Meleney and Deanna Griffin Dove contribute to this extensive collection of glass bead techniques.
Tools and Supplies
After the book's introduction is a "Getting Started" section that covers all of the tools, equipment, and materials needed to make lampwork beads. This section also discusses safety issues such as clothing requirements and protective equipment needed for this art form. It extensively covers everything you need to know to set up a home glass studio. I was particularly impressed with the details provided about torches, which is usually most people's main concern when getting into lampworking. The author explains everything from a simple single-fuel torch to fancier setups like an oxygen and propane tank.
Techniques
This book is really all about the techniques. It is set up as a kind of workshop format were you first start with how to make a basic round bead. Important information such as regions of the flame and where in the flame you need to work are covered and include color photographs to show you where to place the glass rods as well as the bead mandrels when you begin to work.
Shaping the bead, as in moving from round to teardrop or oval shapes for example, is the next focus of the book. Crucial information about annealing is also included.
The techniques move on and on, starting very simple and then ramping up as you work your way through the book to more difficult methods to master. There are also several gallery sections throughout the book to show examples of beads made with the techniques covered.
Final Thoughts
The Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking is really packed with information and excellent step-by-step photographs. There is so much information it may even be a little intimidating for someone who is not serious about learning lampworking. One impediment to many jewelry designers attempting lampworking is that they don't really know where to begin. A class is ideal so that you can get a taste of it and learn the basics from someone, but classes are not always that easy to find. For the determined jewelry designer who wants to learn how to make glass beads but has little local resources as far as information, this book fills an important niche. I think this book would also be a good resource for those who may have some cursory experience but want to learn more advanced methods and need some instruction versus just trying to experiment.
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
