Karen J Leonardo - Creating Lampwork Beads for Jewelry

Creating Lampwork
Beads for Jewelry By Karen J. Leonardo 2007 by Karen J. Leonardo Published by Our toll-free number to place an order or obtain a free catalog is (800) 258-0929. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a critical article or review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper, or electronically transmitted on radio, television, or the Internet. The following trademarked terms and companies appear in this publication: Beadalon, Czech beads, E 6000, Effetre Glass, Hot Head Torch, Moretti, Sculpey Bake and Bend, Swarovski Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2007924542 ISBN-13: 978-0-89689-549-2
ISBN-10: 0-89689-549-1
eISBN-13: 978-1-4402-2116-3 Designed by Rachael Knier
Edited by Erica Swanson Printed in China Every effort has been made to ensure that instructions are accurate.

However, due to differing equipment and technique, the publisher and author are not responsible for any injuries or damages resulting from information found in this book. It is up to the reader to follow manufacturers instructions and review the safety checklist on pg. 17. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to dedicate this book to the memory of my grandmother, Mary Krisay. She was the rock of our family when my mother passed away when I was a young girl. Her love and support allowed me to pursue my dreams and see them come true! I would like to thank God because he makes ALL things possible! I also want to thank my family: my husband Bob, and my children, Brock, Erica and Braden, for their continual support of my endeavors.

I cannot forget my wonderful mother-in-law, Barb, for picking up where I leave off. Thanks to all the lampworkers for their beautiful contributions: Bob Leonardo, Leslie Kaplan, Kristan Child, Cathy Lybarger, Christine Schneider, Cindy Palmer, JC Herrell, Sue Booth, Lezlie Belanger and Amy Cornett. Thanks to all of the designers who made gorgeous jewelry pieces from the beads: Sue Hart, Cary Martin, Robin Bond, Joyce Facchiano, Nora Howe and Cindy Vela. A special thanks to Amy Cornett and Joyce Facchiano for all of the extras. Sue Hart has been my rock, and I thank her for not only contributing and taking many pictures, but also for being such a wonderful friend and taking on all the challenges I throw her way. Thanks to Brian Helgerson from Sundance Art Glass, who took all the pictures in the first two chapters and really pulled through when life was difficult.

A very special thanks to a very good friend, Susan Ray, who made this book possible; without her it would not have been written. Susan, you have been an awesome mentor. Thanks go out to Lisa Liddy who put everything in order for me with such patience and encouragement. Im so glad that we met. It has been an enriching experience, and I appreciate all you have done to get this book together for me. Thanks to Candy Wiza, the acquisitions editor, for the extra time you spent walking me through the proposal.

Thanks to my editor, Erica Swanson, for leading the way and coaching me through the book process. Thanks to designer Rachael Knier and photographer Kris Kandler, who helped make this book a reality. Thanks again to everyone for making my dreams come true! TABLE OF CONTENTS _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER 1
Setting Up Your Studio _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER 2
Making Your First Bead _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER 3
Beads _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER 4
Jewelry Basics: Tool Box and Set up _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER 5
Jewelry Designs ____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ FOREWORD Glass beads are magical. They are tiny worlds where viewers can lose themselves in the intricacy and depth of a piece of wearable art. Making glass beads is doubly magical. As bead makers, we get to watch them grow and change in the torch as they are created.

Were alchemists, turning basic materials into something of great value. When Karen first approached me to write the foreword to her book, her eyes shone with so much energy and excitement, I couldnt wait to see the project that had her all fired up. The wait was worth it! This beautiful book promises to be a staple for every lampworker and designers collection. The bead tutorials are well-written and easy to follow, and they increase in difficulty and complexity, so that one is constantly challenged and inspired. Each lesson is enhanced by Karens unique skill and knowledge of metals and reactive glass. Besides the beautifully presented tutorials for the torch, Creating Lampwork Beads for Jewelry solves the common dilemma of many a lampworker, by showing us what to do with these works of art after theyve been completed.

It moves beyond the bead and into the realm of the jewelry artist. Here again, Karen has outdone herself by inviting exciting and creative artists to share in her vision. The designs range from simple and elegant, to complex and edgy. There is something here to inspire everyone. Karen has invited the reader to travel with ease through every step on the way to creating beautiful lampwork beads and jewelry. Enjoy the ride! Jennifer Geldard Jennifer Geldard is an internationally-known lampwork artist and instructor whose beads are collected around the world.

She has been making glass beads and sculpture since 1994. Jennifers work can beseen on her Web site,http://www.glassgirl.com. INTRODUCTION Maybe you are a jewelry designer who has always wanted to learn how to make your own lampwork beads or maybe you are new to lampworking and would like to learn the secrets of the art from some of the skilled lampworkers out there today. This book will take you through each step. I will teach you how to set up your own basic lamp-work beadmaking studio for soft glass and borosilicate glass, and I will also walk you through making your first lampwork bead. Then, its time to play with intermediate and advanced techniques. You will use various frits and latticino, and make custom colors and special shapes.