Bottles to Beads

Skill level: Intermediate flame workers/bead makers

Join Arizona-based artist Bronwen Heilman as we learn how to work with scrap glass from bottles. Focusing on how to safely cut bottles, how to determine if one bottle is compatible with another one, and how to flame work this exciting and recycled material. We will be making beads and headpins with this wonderful glass.

Bronwen will supply some wire to use for the headpins, and will have some wire holders for use (of which you can purchase if you like them).

Tools required:

• Mandrels (marked)
• Rubberized safety gloves (Harbor Freight)
• Didymium glasses
• your favorite flame working tools
• Marvers
• Tweezers
• 2 pair of straight 8″ hemostats
• If you want to bring your own wire: Kanthal or Nichrome 20 or 22 gauge
• Optional: Stamps, presses

Cost: $175. If registering for both of Bronwen’s classes, cost is $320 for 2.

Lunch is included.

Pre-registration and payment required to hold your spot. 50% refund for cancellations more than 24 hours in advance. No refund for cancellations less than 24 hours.

Register now >

About Bronwen:

I am a hot glass flame worker and flameworking instructor.  Along with creating a strong and fundamental curriculum for students to learn about flameworking glass, I am also creating work that is sculptural and environmentally sustainable.

I began exploring lampworked glass in 1985 and have tried many different techniques over the years.  I continue to use glass as my main medium of expression, mixing it with bicycle inner tubes, shrink plastic, rubber cord and other objects.

I am currently (since 2008) exploring the use of bottle glass in ways that go beyond the bottle.  Flameworking this glass affords me to take the ‘bottle’ out of this glass, and begin manipulating the raw material to create forms that do not resemble the original product.

My work is inspired by urban life and the advanced style of women around the world.  The people, the places, and the soul of the urban traveler.