Torch Enameling Class on May 24, 2015

The craft of enameling glass on metal is an ancient one. Using a butane torch, students will learn how easy it can be to create simple and beautiful designs by fusing colorful glass powder to copper. Course will cover safety and work area set-up, preparation of the metal, sifting and fusing enamel, and counter-enameling. Additional embellishment techniques will be included, based on time and student interest, such as color blending, use of glass seed beads and “whiskers”, use of stencils and rubber stamps for addition shapes and interest, and sgrafitto (method of scratching a design in sifted powder to reveal the colored undercoat of enamel).

Materials: Students will generally create a sufficient number of enameled elements for 1-2 pairs of earrings or pendants (jewelry findings can be purchased at Bead Inspirations as desired). Instructor provides materials, including personal safety items, unlimited use of large range of enamels, and choice of selected copper blanks. All tools provided, including use of torches, firebrick, sifters and tripods.

Class fee is $59 and the class runs from 1-4pm on May 24, 2015. Students must register in advanced online, in person, or on the phone at (510) 337-1203. Students receive a 10% in store discount for 4 weeks prior to 2 weeks after their class.

For more information on this and other events coming up at our store, check out our online calendar at http://beadinspirations.com/calendarhours-ezp-5.html

About Us: Bead Inspirations is a full service retail bead shop and webstore in Alameda, CA, offering beautiful beads and findings, tools, supplies, books, inspiring beading, jewelry-making, and metalsmithing classes. Folks come to our bead store from Oakland, the East Bay, and throughout San Francisco Bay Area to shop the full line of Vintaj Natural Brass Filigree and findings, leather and Tierracast leather jewelry findings, Nunn Design and Swarovski Crystal Pearls at the lowest prices available online or in a store. We also offer gemstone beads, focal beads, picture frame pendants, cloisonne beads, and more. Our retail store contains many items not offered in the webstore, including moustache charms, real beetle wings, vintage style watch pendants, Kazuri beads, feathers, a full selection of freshwater pearls, shell, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass, and many unique items.